I’ve been thinking about the withdrawal plan from Afghanistan and I have so much frustration and resentment at the years of wishcasting, manipulation, leadership failure and dereliction that led to this moment.

People are right to be angry about the abrupt policy shift and treatment of our allies, not to mention the Afghan government and people.

At the same time, President Trump has made his intent clear for four years. Why was this so abrupt? It had no need to be.

Trump and his core national security team had serious failures in their ability to drive a process that led to a responsible transition from Afghanistan.

But then I look at DOD and have to ask if its bureaucratic resistance created not only this moment but much more tragedy.

Proceeding with an assumption of long term presence and investment in Afghanistan—what impact did that have?

It makes me so angry and I have so little hope that many defense leaders will even see the problem.

Too many national security leaders—and yes, military among them—act as though they have higher allegiance to their definition of national security interests than the constitution and democratic process. Aside from the breathtaking elitism, this view fosters no learning culture.

Civilian control and the chain of command are more complex than individuals simply inhabiting those roles. They demand competence and good faith, in and around that relationship. But Competence is not superiority or the right to overturn the president because you had other plans.