With Biden's withdrawal of US forces in Afghanistan, America's longest war is ending

<p>Our wars&nbsp;in Afghanistan and Iraq have hung over&nbsp;the US and the world for nearly two decades —&nbsp;taking&nbsp;hundreds of thousands of lives, costing taxpayer money and leaving America&nbsp;war-weary.&nbsp;</p><p>Now, Biden's full withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and decision to end combat missions in Iraq marks an end to the post-9/11 era and represents a renewed focus on combatting threats from China.</p><p>We're mapping out Biden's skepticism toward our engagement in the Middle East and remembering the human life&nbsp;our wars have cost —&nbsp;Afghan, Iraqi and&nbsp;American lives and those touched by the far-flung effects of our "forever wars."</p><p>USA TODAY White House correspondent&nbsp;Courtney Subramanian, along with foreign&nbsp;policy reporter Deirdre Shesgreen and Pentagon correspondent Tom Vanden Brook explain what to keep in mind&nbsp;as US troops leave these two countries: What have these wars costs us? What happens if the Taliban regains control in Afghanistan?&nbsp;</p><p>Episode Transcript linked <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/08/01/bidens-afghanistan-withdrawal-ends-our-longest-war-heres-what-know/5419418001/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Also available at <a href="https://art19.com/shows/5-things" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">art19.com/shows/5-Things</a></p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>