Topline
The United States plans to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan despite pleas from political allies and foreign leaders, President Joe Biden stated Tuesday. However, his timeline is dependent on cooperation from the Talibans.
On August 24, President Joe Biden spoke at the White House about Afghanistan's situation. Getty Images
The Key Facts
Biden stated that the U.S. military is currently holding Kabul's Hamid Karzai international Airport, while the Taliban controls most of Kabul. However, some members of Congress and allies are unsure if there will be enough time for all citizens of the United States and all at-risk Afghans to be rescued. Biden suggested that U.S. troops may face increased safety risks if they remain at the airport past August. He cited a Monday firefight between Western forces in Kabul and a Kabul gunman, as well possible threats from the Islamic States affiliate. Biden pressed the Taliban for evacuees to be allowed to enter the airport, while avoiding interfering in U.S. operations. He also directed the Pentagon to prepare contingency plans that could change the president's timeline. Biden stated that more than 70,000 Afghans had been evacuated in the past 10 days. Military evacuations have also increased in recent days. Biden's speech came after a meeting with leaders of the Group of Seven countries on Afghanistan, where the president said that the military would leave Afghanistan by August 31.
Important Quote
The quicker we can complete, the better. Biden stated that each day of operations poses an additional risk for our troops. The completion of the operation by August 31 is dependent on the Taliban cooperating and allowing access to the airport to those who were being transported out.
Important Background
The United States raced for American citizens to flee Afghanistan, Afghans who had aided the U.S. military, and anyone else who might face retribution by the Taliban after they overthrew the U.S.-backed government in Kabul last week. The U.S. military's two-decade-long war against Afghanistan has seen this evacuation drive as a capstone. Taliban fighters have harassed Americans and Afghans at airport entrances. The Taliban said Tuesday that it would block Afghans from evacuating, because we need their talents. Officials in France and the United Kingdom requested more time. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), said that the military should remain in Kabul as long as necessary to rescue Americans and Afghan visa applications. And Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., stated to MSNBC that the military will not be able finish evacuations by August 31.
Tangent
The Taliban called August 31 a red line and warned that the United States may face unspecified consequences for remaining longer. It is unclear what the Taliban might do in retaliation. In March, the Taliban threatened to attack foreign troops after Biden announced that the U.S. military would leave Afghanistan by September 11, four months after the Taliban and Trump agreed on a withdrawal date.
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Biden sticks to August 31 deadline for Afghanistan, as some in his party demand extension (Forbes).
