US Republicans Accuse Biden of Mishandling Afghanistan Withdrawal
The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee contended that the US president overlooked critical warning signs and “picked optics over security.” Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
US House Republicans released a critical report on Sunday, attributing the tumultuous withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2021 to the decisions of President Joe Biden's administration. The State Department had previously attributed the problematic evacuation from Kabul to both Biden and former President Donald Trump's eagerness to promptly conclude the conflict.
The partisan inquiry, spearheaded by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, asserted that the Biden administration possessed both the information and the means to adequately plan for the Afghan government's collapse, allowing for the safe evacuation of US personnel, American citizens, green card holders, and Afghan allies.
Originally, the US was set to exit Afghanistan by May 2021 based on a peace agreement established by Trump and the Taliban. However, Biden postponed this timeline by a few months. During the withdrawal phase, Biden and his team reassured the public that the Afghan military could withstand Taliban forces for a significant period. Nevertheless, the Afghan army capitulated quickly, and Kabul was captured by the Taliban on August 15, before the completion of the US evacuation effort.
The withdrawal had devastating consequences, including a bomb attack in Kabul orchestrated by the Islamic State, which resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members.
McCaul criticized Biden for overlooking the clear indications of a swift Taliban takeover and for delaying essential evacuation planning. “At each step of the way, however, the administration picked optics over security,” he stated.
He also remarked that the findings substantiate that Biden's decision was influenced by his deep-seated belief in the necessity for the US to exit Afghanistan. Appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation, McCaul refuted claims that the report's release was politically motivated or timed to coincide with the upcoming presidential debate between Trump and Harris, mentioning that acquiring the necessary data and testimonies, such as those from Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had taken years due to obstructions.
In response, the White House accused the Republican report of selectively using witness testimony and downplaying Trump's involvement in the withdrawal issues. White House spokeswoman Sharon Yang argued that Biden had been left with a challenging situation due to the flawed agreement Trump had made with the Taliban.
The State Department had earlier presented a report that acknowledged insufficient crisis preparedness and communication challenges during the pullout under both administrations, but praised its personnel for their dedication and resilience in a demanding situation.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
The partisan inquiry, spearheaded by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, asserted that the Biden administration possessed both the information and the means to adequately plan for the Afghan government's collapse, allowing for the safe evacuation of US personnel, American citizens, green card holders, and Afghan allies.
Originally, the US was set to exit Afghanistan by May 2021 based on a peace agreement established by Trump and the Taliban. However, Biden postponed this timeline by a few months. During the withdrawal phase, Biden and his team reassured the public that the Afghan military could withstand Taliban forces for a significant period. Nevertheless, the Afghan army capitulated quickly, and Kabul was captured by the Taliban on August 15, before the completion of the US evacuation effort.
The withdrawal had devastating consequences, including a bomb attack in Kabul orchestrated by the Islamic State, which resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members.
McCaul criticized Biden for overlooking the clear indications of a swift Taliban takeover and for delaying essential evacuation planning. “At each step of the way, however, the administration picked optics over security,” he stated.
He also remarked that the findings substantiate that Biden's decision was influenced by his deep-seated belief in the necessity for the US to exit Afghanistan. Appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation, McCaul refuted claims that the report's release was politically motivated or timed to coincide with the upcoming presidential debate between Trump and Harris, mentioning that acquiring the necessary data and testimonies, such as those from Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had taken years due to obstructions.
In response, the White House accused the Republican report of selectively using witness testimony and downplaying Trump's involvement in the withdrawal issues. White House spokeswoman Sharon Yang argued that Biden had been left with a challenging situation due to the flawed agreement Trump had made with the Taliban.
The State Department had earlier presented a report that acknowledged insufficient crisis preparedness and communication challenges during the pullout under both administrations, but praised its personnel for their dedication and resilience in a demanding situation.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
