U.S. troops are headed back to Afghanistan, not to fight – let alone defeat – the Taliban. Instead, they’re to extricate American diplomats and other citizens, and a lucky few Afghans, before the Islamist horde conquers the country’s capital, Kabul.

Expect scenes reminiscent of a similar rout in Saigon in 1975. Even more ominous though will be other, predictable manifestations of what happens when one side stops fighting and its enemies don’t. 

Jihadis elsewhere are among those who will be emboldened by what amounts to our defeat, and who will be redoubling their hostile efforts in its wake. For example, we should expect in the coming days the Iranian mullahs to obtain the Bomb and the Islamic State to declare a new, far more foreboding caliphate in Nigeria, both of which will have profound repercussions for their respective regions – and the world.

God help us.

This is Frank Gaffney.