Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, stated Monday that there were 100 to 200 Americans who wanted to leave Afghanistan, but they remained in the country. Biden confirmed Tuesday's estimate and stated that the U.S. would continue to assist in the evacuation of Afghans.
The president stated that there is no deadline for the remaining Americans. If they wish to leave, we will continue to work to get them out.
Biden's tone was very similar to his speech after the fall of Kabul two weeks ago. Both speeches were filled with harsh criticisms of the Afghan political leaders and Biden's unwavering determination to end the war.
Biden stated on Tuesday that he was not planning to prolong this war for ever, and that he was not seeking an exit plan for the country.
Biden's speech ended a turbulent month in Afghanistan, in which security forces and the government collapsed at an alarming pace. This forced the U.S. into cooperation with the Taliban to ensure that evacuations continued as many lives were on the line.
Officials from the administration have stated that this was the largest non-combatant evacuation in American military history. Over 123,000 people were evacuated. 79,000 of them since Aug. 14.
The withdrawal was hampered by a terrorist attack that killed more than 180 Afghans, 13 U.S. military personnel and by the acknowledgement by governments that the Talibans had stolen tens to billions in military equipment.
Military officials dispelled reports that the U.S. had left Kabul's military dogs behind on Tuesday. This was in response to the ongoing struggle of the governments to counter the perceptions that the drawdown was hasty and chaotic.
According to John Kirby, the Pentagon's top spokesperson, this is to correct incorrect reports. The photos circulated online were of animals in the care and control of the Kabul Small Animal Rescue, and not dogs.
The Biden administration was determined to meet its Aug. 31 deadline. This angered some Republicans who had called for Biden's resignation from office. It also raised tensions between Congress and the White House, as well as among some of America's closest allies.
President Obama and his advisors repeatedly stated that they are determined to end the war in Afghanistan and didn't want to prolong the withdrawal timeline, which could have upset the delicate balance with Taliban and put additional people in danger.
It is not an arbitrarily set deadline to leave August 31st. Biden stated that it was intended to save American lives.
While the White House wants to forget about Afghanistan and focus on domestic issues, the consequences of the conflict are likely to continue for months if not years.
Tens of thousands of Afghans, and their families, will need to resettle in the U.S. and elsewhere. This is a daunting logistical challenge. A raft of congressional committees have begun investigating the exit from Afghanistan.
After the Taliban have taken control of Afghanistan, the international community will have to decide how to approach them. Monday's non-binding resolution by the United Nations Security Council called on the Taliban to fulfill its humanitarian obligations. Russia and China refused to sign the resolution, arguing that it was an attempt distract from the United States withdrawal.
Blinken stated Monday that the U.S. would be moving its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan to Doha (Qatar) after it had closed its Kabul embassy earlier this month due to the deteriorating situation.
