On November 11, Patel slid a one-page memo across the table—whoosh—to Milley. It read: “November 11, 2020 Memorandum for the Acting Secretary of Defense: Withdrawal from Somalia and Afghanistan.” “I hereby direct you to withdraw all U.S. forces from the Federal Republic of Somalia no later than 31 December 2020 and from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan no later than 15 January 2021. Inform all allied and partner forces of the directives. Please confirm receipt of this order.” It was signed “Donald Trump,” with large, thick strokes of his celebrated black marker.
