US had to get out at some point.

The minute America announced the withdrawal, the Taliban began their offensive.

And the ordinary Afghans are with Taliban: Sharia had the highest acceptability in Afghanistan at 99%, according to a 2013 Pew survey.

Images of Afghans clamouring to get onto airplanes at the Kabul airport may have gone viral but there is another side too: The vast majority seem to have welcomed Taliban back with open arms. CNN is showing images of people on the streets taking selfies with Taliban gunmen.

Despite having sophisticated weapons, many cities (including Kabul) fell with scarcely a shot being fired. Key military leaders changed sides without any pretence of resistance.

The US had to get out at some point. And whenever it did, the situation would have been similar.

Biden has been consistent on his stand on Afghanistan: he first began pushing for an exit more than a decade ago, as Barack Obama’s vice-president.

"I know my decision will be criticised, but I would rather take all that criticism than pass this decision on to another president," Biden said yesterday.

That takes some guts.

Will the decision affect Biden's political legacy? These two points may have the answer:

1 The share of Americans who oppose the war has been rising steadily, according to Gallup polls, with 47% calling it a mistake in July.

2 The fall of Saigon hardly featured in the 1976 presidential race.