U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken discusses refugee programs for Afghans that have aided the U.S. at a briefing at Washington, DC's State Department on August 2, 2021.
On Sunday, Taliban fighters entered Kabul's capital city. Secretary of State Antony Blinken supported President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw American troops.
He stated that the U.S. had succeeded in bringing the terrorists responsible for Sept. 11th 2001 to justice, and that it was no longer possible to remain in the country. Blinken stated that if the U.S. had stayed, America would have gone back to war with the Taliban. He said the Taliban is at its strongest since 2001.
Blinken stated Sunday that "Remaining in Afghanistan" for another five, ten years was not in the national interests. He spoke on CNN's "State of the Union".
As the U.S. moves personnel to Kabul's airport, his comments are timely. Blinken stated that the top goal of the government is to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens. This is why Biden authorized approximately 5,000 U.S. soldiers to aid in the drawdown U.S. personnel.
Many people have begun to compare Biden's withdrawal in Afghanistan with America's 1975 flight from Saigon. Blinken refuted that comparison.
