I have heard this previously that the ANA could only fight when supported by US intelligence and air support, but if it is true then the blame lies with the Trump administration who set a May 1st, 2021 deadline for withdrawal, conditions based.
Four years under Trump was enough time to remove the 'training wheels' from the ANA.
>>> Four years under Trump was enough time to remove the ‘training wheels’ from the ANA. <<<
Understand your point. And it’s a good one. But shortly after Bidens 14-April announcement that we were leaving by 11-Sept, the Taliban rolled the ANA in outer provinces. DC watched these routs but did not pivot to new tactics to stop the Taliban march to Kabul.
Mike Tyson said, “everyone has a plan until you get punched in the mouth”. We watched the ANA get punched in the mouth but made the POLITICAL decision to do nothing, or change tactics. Hitting a deadline was more important than an orderly withdrawal.