I very rarely post on here, but let me give you all some knowledge as I am seeing things, as the spouse of a US Military service member.
The US forces (ie the men and women on the ground who do the actual action) are ready, willing and able to do whatever it takes, at all times. However, they have to follow orders, which come from the Commander in Chief of the military (ie. the President). In the US, the president is the Commander in Chief and like it or not, it's his decision ultimately. I see a couple of posts earlier saying "the military" is being weak, or not doing its job. That's true, but not the units themselves, nor the field commanders on the ground - they operate under orders from the Pentagon, who operate under orders from the Commander in Chief. This equates to taking military orders from career politicians and semi-retired "generals" who have worked their way into the Pentagon, in most cases not on pure merit, who unfortunately are far more worried about optics and perception in the media than actually doing the right thing and saving lives. If anyone thinks the men and women on the ground are not frustrated, embarrassed and angry at what is transpiring, let me set the record straight - they 100% are.
Taking occupation of Afghanistan (Bush) was a mistake and it has been compounded by subsequent leadership for 20 years. Revenge and repurcussions for 9/11 was always going to happen, but a short-term military-led offensive was the preference of the actual military leadership, not an occupation.
Getting out was always going to happen, but the manner in which it has happened has been just about as bad as it can get. The politicians wanted the positive optics of being able to "celebrate" on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, without any thought for the people they were affecting or lives lost and destroyed in the process.
The whole situation is an embarrassment to the country, all in the name of scoring political points.