Mike Rogers on Afghanistan Decision: ‘I Really Don’t Think This Was Well Thought Through’

EXCERPT:

ROGERS: “If you recall, Baghdadi, who was the founder of ISIS, released about 1,500 prisoners that he turned into fighters that dragged into Syria after that, because there was just a massive vacuum. And remember, we’re just talking a period of months here. The whole command structure now, all the energy and — military energy -- is not going to be going after the Taliban. It’s trying to figure out how you get people and equipment out safely and not allow the thing to collapse. That is a very different strategy outlook for the next few months than making sure the Taliban isn’t victorious in spreading its -- its message and its territory around Afghanistan. So -- and what are we going to do? We’re going to send in the 101st next year after the Taliban continues to march toward the capital city of Kabul? I don’t think so. And so I really don’t think this was well thought through. I think they were looking at some kind of symbol on September 11th. And I think this is a terrible message to send. Al Qaeda, even ISIS often used that date as their own inspiration. And why we would leave on the day that they already hold in their view as a day where they really harmed America? Boy, it is a head-scratcher to me.”