As the evacuation of Afghan and British citizens continues, personnel from the UK Armed Forces have been deployed in Kabul. Crown Copyright
Tony Blair launched an angry attack on Joe Biden's "imbecilic” withdrawal from Afghanistan. The airport that was at the heart of the evacuation effort was closed on Saturday amid horrifying scenes.
The ex-prime minister of Britain, who led the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, claimed that the "deep politicisation of US foreign policies" was "visibly atrophying" American influence and that the failure to withdraw from the war risked relegating Britain to the "second division of global power."
As Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab (the Foreign Secretary) concluded that Britain would need to turn to Russia or China for assistance in exercising a "moderating control" over the Taliban as the UK's presence in the country ends, Mr Blair broke his silence.
On Saturday night, Mr Raab said to The Telegraph that he would have to invite countries with a moderating influence, such as Russia or China, no matter how uncomfortable.
Kabul's airport was closed on Saturday. Americans were advised not to travel to Kabul in an attempt to flee Afghanistan. There are reports of people being killed or crushed by the heat in the crowds, as families and individuals seek refuge from the Taliban.
The US State Department stated that the airport would be closed for at least 48 hours in order to process the hundreds of people who had managed to enter.
US is blamed for the chaos
In the midst of deteriorating relations between the UK and US figures sources claimed that Johnson wasn't among those ministers who had criticised America. They also said that Johnson had a "good working relationship with Mr Biden."
Other Government sources claim that Kabul's chaos was partly due to Americans inviting everyone to arrive at once. Pentagon officials said Saturday night that the airport situation was dynamic and fluid, adding that it was changing by the hour.
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Senior ministers were outraged at Mr Biden's public comments last week. They privately accused the US president of being dishonest by saying that Britain and its allies had "a choice" about whether or not to stay in Afghanistan following America's withdrawal.
268668183 – EDITORS NOTE IMAGE BLURRED at SOURCE Handout photo from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), showing a full flight of 265 persons, supported by members of UK Armed Forces, onboard an evacuation flight leaving Kabul, Afghanistan. To ensure a safe evacuation, the UK has been closely working with international partners. Operation - Ministry of Defence has evacuated 3,821 people from Afghanistan.
UK and US forces work together in Kabul - Crown Copyright
"Devoid of reality"
Senior government officials believe Britain was forced to accept the US decision to leave. One Whitehall source claimed that Biden seemed "a little devoid of reality" on Saturday.
Blair stated in an article posted on the website his global change institute that it was "obvious" the West's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan "in such a way" was driven by "not grand strategy, but politics".
He wrote: "We didn’t have to do it. We chose to do it. We did it because we believed that the forever wars would be ended.
"Forever wars"
While Mr Blair does not mention Mr Biden in the article of 2,700 words, the "forever" slogan that he attacked was the core of his campaign for the presidency last year. His official website stated: "Biden is going to end the forever wars between Afghanistan and the Middle East which have cost us untold lives and treasure.
"As he long argued, Biden would bring the vast majority our troops home to Afghanistan and narrowly concentrate our mission on Al-Qaeda/Isis."
After his election in April, Mr Biden stated that "we were attacked and we went to war with clear objectives." These were our goals. We achieved these objectives. Bin Laden is dead, al-Qaida in Afghanistan is degraded, and it is time to end this forever war.
Blair claimed in his article that every jihadist group in the world is "cheering" for withdrawal and that Russia, China, and Iran would see and profit from it. Anybody who is given promises by Western leaders will see them as unstable currency.
As Afghans seek asylum, soldiers deployed in Kabul are given a break - Crown Copyright
"Radical Islam"
Former Prime Minister and ex-Prime Minister of the West, who resigned in 2007, called for a "tangible display" that the West isn't in an "epoch changing retreat". He compared the West's fight to "radical Islam" with its battle against revolutionary communism over 70 year.
In an apparent response to inaction claims, Mr Raab revealed that Britain had been planning for an international "contact" group of countries to try to hold the Taliban accountable. Similar groups were formed to address the Bosnia crisis of the 1990s.
Mr Johnson and Mr Raab disagree on the fact that they believe that Russia and China will be able to influence the Taliban. This week, the UN Security Council's permanent members P5 will discuss the proposal.
Russia and China: Moderate influence
Raab stated that countries with a moderating influence such as Russia or China will be needed to enter the equation, no matter how uncomfortable. With a view of establishing a contact group for Afghanistan, the UK has started a P5 meeting.
"If we are to exert maximum moderating power on the Taliban, we must work with India, Pakistan, China, and other countries that are concerned about terrorists and refugees.
It will allow us to exert greater influence on the Taliban and communicate our messages better. Although the UK paper to G7 was received well, we must take the initiative. That's what Global Britain is all for.
Senior Government sources said that a UN-led process was necessary, "that protects Afghans" and "prevents chaos."
The final withdrawal
A senior defense source has informed me that the US State Department stated that US forces would cease operations on August 30, and other countries will need to leave before then.
On August 26, the Norwegian military field hospital will be closed. A senior Government source stated that the situation on the ground was in flux and it would not be wise to set a deadline. Our priority is to get our people out as safely as possible.
On Saturday, the US military used helicopters to transport terrified evacuees to Kabul.
The airport gates were closed to all who were still outside Saturday afternoon. Officials from the United States stated that no one would be allowed into the airport until the massive backlog of refugees or fleeing citizens had been cleared.
Senior US officials said Saturday night that potential threats from Islamic State against Americans in Afghanistan had forced the US military into new ways to evacuate them to Kabul airport.
As tensions escalated, there were chaotic scenes at the airport's perimeter fence. Families waved UK passports and begged British soldiers to allow them in.
According to reports, Downing Street told Mr Raab that he would return from his holiday in Crete Friday Aug 13th. However, Mr Raab requested an additional two days.
Lisa Nandy (shadow foreign secretary) also wrote to Mr Raab, alleging that people were being "shottied, beaten, and raped" while they waited for their call at the airport.
