Afghanistan, Withdrawal, and America After War
In this full-length interview on PBS Firing Line, Elliot Ackerman joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the end of America’s war in Afghanistan, the evacuation effort following the Taliban takeover, and the long-term strategic and moral consequences of the conflict.
Drawing on his experiences as a Marine Corps veteran, special operations officer, author, and advocate for Afghan allies, Ackerman reflects on the failures of the withdrawal, America’s obligations to interpreters and partners, and the broader lessons of twenty years of war.
The Fifth Act and the End of the War
The conversation also explores themes from Ackerman’s book The Fifth Act: America’s End in Afghanistan, which chronicles the final collapse of Afghanistan and the efforts to evacuate vulnerable Afghan allies during the withdrawal.
Ackerman discusses how the war shaped an entire generation of veterans, diplomats, intelligence officers, and Afghan partners, while examining how the withdrawal may influence future American foreign policy and alliance credibility.
War, Society, and the Civil-Military Divide
Beyond Afghanistan itself, the interview examines the growing divide between the American military and civilian society, the burden carried by a small percentage of Americans who served during two decades of conflict, and the broader cultural consequences of prolonged war.
The discussion also addresses strategic competition, public trust, leadership, and the difficulty democratic societies face when sustaining long-term military commitments.
Watch the Full Interview
This interview originally aired on PBS Firing Line with Margaret Hoover.