The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan after 20 years of war is proceeding faster than the September 11 deadline set by President Joe Biden. The Americans turned off the lights as they left the sprawling Bagram Airfield, once the center of US operations, in the dead of night. Afghans who worked for the Americans, desperate to leave the country, lined up for passports.
In this week’s main editorial cartoon, Chicago Tribune cartoonist Scott Stantis takes inspiration from the iconic image of U.S. personnel and their allies lining up to catch the last helicopter out of Saigon as Vietnam fell. “Next time. We’ll learn our lesson next time,†the text reads.
Biden defended his decision to withdraw US troops, saying the war’s goal was achieved when Osama bin Laden was killed and terrorist bases were driven out of the country. “We did not go to Afghanistan to build a nation,†Biden said in a speech to update his administration’s ongoing efforts to end the American war. “Afghan leaders must come together and move towards a future. “
The announcement by Tokyo authorities that spectators would not be allowed at Olympic venues due to the Covid-19 state of emergency also made the news. Additionally, US sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has been banned from the Olympic track and field roster after testing positive for marijuana, in violation of global anti-doping rules.
Other hot topics include the rise of the Delta variant of Covid-19; no more Russian cyber attacks; the victory of former policeman Eric Adams in the mayoral primary of New York; and a parade for essential Covid-19 workers in the Big Apple that celebrated delivery men and cavalry in the war on the virus.
The cartoons were drawn by Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and AF Branco, Mike Luckovich and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.
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