This week, we asked readers their thoughts on U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to end America’s longest war in Afghanistan.

 

“I think it’s about time they did this. I am so happy to hear that they’re doing this. They’ve been in Afghanistan for such a long time, I think it’s about time they do pull them out. No, it wasn’t done the right way. I don’t believe so, but few wars end peacefully. I don’t believe this world learned anything from the occupation. I think it’s gotten worse. We’ve gotten very stupid.”

Kendall Levine,

Hunts Point

“It was a horrible ending, leaving all of our stuff and leaving Americans behind. The killing of our 13 men and women was a disgrace and Biden is a coward. He should have gotten all of our men and women out first, with all of our equipment, but instead they killed 13 of our people and he let them walk. He should have gone back in, took our stuff back, and killed them all. This wouldn’t fly with Donald Trump. Kill them all like they wouldn’t hesitate to kill all of us. Don’t forget 9/11. I believe in an eye for an eye.”

Barbara Cafaro Jusino,

Yorktown Heights, Westchester

 

“We, as a nation, must realize that democracy in the United States has been in great peril for some time now. As a Muslim American, in my opinion, what unfolded on Jan. 6, just made us more aware of the evil tyranny of those who oppose a civilized society, still exists within our ranks of government, and until true leaders understand, and actually take all the necessary measures of our justice system to deter such actions that occurred on Jan. 6, we will still be a country with insecurities and unrest. President Biden’s decision to leave Afghanistan and abandon military hardware has great concerns to me, especially not knowing who’s going to be in the country’s new cabinet.”

Aldo Rafael Perez,

Bedford Park

 

“In my opinion, we should have withdrawn from Afghanistan, but more responsibly. We left so much military equipment behind in the hands of the Taliban fighters. We also left many Americans stranded and that’s what I mean about responsibility. Would Al-Qaeda attack us again? That depends on the president. He must demonstrate force!”

Rev. Oswald Denis,

Morrissania

 

“Our mission in Afghanistan was to take out Osama bin Laden and his organization, which we did. Unfortunately, we did not foresee a war among different terrorist organizations. The transition of power from the U.S. to the Taliban was not peaceful as ISIS-K instigated the violence, but like the saying goes, ‘The enemy of our enemy is our friend.’ The Taliban is our enemy, but a lesser evil of the two. I believe we should have [had] SOCOM (U.S. Special Operations Command) stay until every American was safely evacuated. I feel that President Biden showed a lot of weakness and another 9/11 will eventually occur.”

 

Joseph Ronda,

Throgs Neck

 

Editor’s Note: Due to the flooding caused by Storm Ida, it was not physically possible to interview and photograph people locally, this week.