- [Reporter] The US pulloutfrom Afghanistan is sending

the wrong message to theMiddle East and others,

like China, Russia, Iran, and Turkey.

- The fact that theUnited States is leaving

will empower groups like theTaliban or other extremists.

It will also empower a lotof America's, let's say,

adversaries or enemies or countries

that want to take advantageof the decline of America

in the region.

- The message being thatAmerica is withdrawing

and America is abandoning its allies,

that America is leaving hundredsof thousands of civilians,

particularly women civiliansin Afghanistan to their fate

at the hands of the Taliban.

If indeed America thinksthat you can do that

without serious geopoliticaland strategic ramifications

around the world, they'rekidding themselves.

- [Reporter] Earlier this year,

President Biden announcedthat the US would withdraw

its troops from Afghanistanby the 20th anniversary

of the 9/11 attacks on the US.

Since then,

the Taliban has taken overmany regional capitals

and assassinated a number ofAfghani government officials.

An added element, accordingto author Seth Frantzman,

is how the Taliban waswelcomed in other countries

long before the pullout.

- The Taliban is ostensibly a terror army,

and yet the Taliban was beinghosted by China, Russia,

Qatar, Turkey.

I mean, all these differentplaces were kind of open

to talking to them.

And I think what happens whenthe international community,

let's say, you know, gives a red carpet

or whitewashes these types of groups,

I think that's concerning to Israel.

- [Reporter] Middle Eastexpert Michael Oren says

it will embolden othersoutside the region, too.

- I think that China will make conclusions

about its position in the South China Sea

vis-a-vis Taiwan.

The Russians about theirposition in the Middle East

and Eastern Europe and Ukraine.

I think that it is human nature.

When people see a formerlyvery strong person withdrawing,

they see a vacuum.

And vacuums, you know,

are abhorred by nature, butalso by international relations.

And they will fill up these vacuums.

- [Reporter] Meanwhile, asthe Taliban gobbles up ground,

many are asking what happenedto the military mission

and billions spent training

and beefing up Afghan security forces.

Julie Stahl, CBN News, Jerusalem.