Former Democratic U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill, who once served as ranking member on the Senate Homeland Security, reacts to those criticizing the Biden administration for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
» Subscribe to MSNBC:
About: MSNBC is the premier destination for in-depth analysis of daily headlines, insightful political commentary and informed perspectives. Reaching more than 95 million households worldwide, MSNBC offers a full schedule of live news coverage, political opinions and award-winning documentary programming — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Connect with MSNBC Online
Visit msnbc.com:
Subscribe to MSNBC Newsletter: MSNBC.com/NewslettersYouTube
Find MSNBC on Facebook:
Follow MSNBC on Twitter:
Follow MSNBC on Instagram:
#MSNBC #Afghanistan #McCaskill
Operation Cyclone funded, armed and trained the Mujaheddin in Afghanistan to be guerrilla terrorists against the Soviet Union.
The war was designed to be like Vietnam.
@SmokeStack Congratulations with the worst and most convoluted excuse. And no Operation Cyclone was indeed a CIA operation to fund, arm and train terrorists including Bin Laden, to use them against Soviet Union.
@Mads Elmvig Bin Laden was literally a kid when the Soviets were in Afghanistan. You really should see the fault in your conspiracy theory. The US did have a proxy war with the Soviet union but that went into the mujahadeen. A defunct tribe that was vehemently opposed to communism.
@SmokeStack Bin Laden was born in 1957, the Soviet Afghan war ended in 1989 (the lasted from 1979-89). Now I can see math is not your strongest suit. So let me help you; 1989-1957 are 32. So even if we take the earliest onset of the conflict, that would make Bin Laden 22. And now the “conspiracy” there is no conspiracy, it is well documented that CIA did it, they have even admitted it. During the cold war CIA did this all over the place.
@Mads Elmvig So you’re saying that America’s grand diabolical plan was to have a 22 yr old Osama Bin Laden and a megalomaniac Jihadist culture defeat the Soviet invasion and take down reigning communist Afghan government in hope of what?
@SmokeStack Read it up yourself, mate! You guys (Americans) pumped Billions of USD into Jihadists fighting the Soviets. Which in essence worked, since Soviet Union had to pull out, of cause that left a bunch of crazy Jihadists with the weapons, contact networks and training to attack targets and recruit to holy war. But who ever accused CIA of being intelligent.
First it was 30,000 – the media said no way Biden could evacuate that many. He easily did that. Then it was “50,000” needing rescue, and CNN said it’s impossible. He comfortably exceeded that (70k as of 8/24). And now it’s 250,000?! Why do they keep moving the goalposts, maybe saying the truth (that this will end up being the most successful airlift in history) doesn’t fit their “failure” narrative.
The fact remains, a Republican lied us into this war and a Democat ended it.
Biden is trying to fix it the problem he caused. The “largest airlift” was required due to his ineptitude. So maybe quit praising him as countless folks he didn’t get out are about to get slaughtered..
No equivocation here.
Where was Claire when I was in high school?
The Biden transition team has not yet commented on the announcement.
In Iraq, the number of US troops will be cut by 500 to 2,500, while the number of service personnel in Afghanistan will fall from 4,500 to about 2,500.
He did not confirm if the drawdown plan had been endorsed by Gen Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but said the decision followed “continuous engagement with the president’s national security cabinet”.
Until Mr Esper’s removal, the Pentagon had said the Taliban had not met pledges to reduce violence, which has soared since the militants began peace talks with the Afghan government in September.
Criticism at home and abroad
Along with Mr McConnell, several other senior Republicans also voiced concerns. Texas Republican congressman Mac Thornberry called the move a “mistake”, saying cutting troop numbers would “undercut negotiations” currently under way aiming to bring an end to fighting in
Nato Secretary-General Jen Stoltenberg, in a rare public show of concern, said “the price for leaving too soon or in an uncoordinated way could be very high”. In a statement, he added that Afghanistan risked once again becoming a platform for international militants to organise attacks.
The alliance relies heavily on the US forces for logistical support in Afghanistan. They form the bulk of about 12,000 troops from 38 Nato allies and partner countries, including the UK, serving in the country.
Talks between the Taliban and Afghan officials have finally begun, but progress has been slow, and violence has been intensifying. Meanwhile, many in the intelligence community still have concerns about the Taliban’s continuing links with al-Qaeda.
Mr Biden has also signalled his intent to eventually withdraw forces, but the expectation is he may be willing to proceed more slowly, and place the Taliban under greater scrutiny. He has also talked of a desire to leave a small counter-terrorism force in the country.
The Taliban, however, could react violently to that proposal or any change in the withdrawal schedule.
August 18, 2021 – 02:05 PM EDT
Biden discusses Afghanistan withdrawal with Merkel
President Biden on Wednesday spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the ongoing withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and efforts to evacuate vulnerable Afghans.
“They praised the ongoing efforts of their military and civilian personnel who are working closely together in Kabul on the evacuation of their citizens, vulnerable Afghans, and the courageous Afghan nationals who worked tirelessly over the last 20 years to provide security, promote peace, and deliver development assistance to the Afghan people,” the White House said in a readout of the call.
“They also discussed the need for close coordination on the provision of humanitarian aid for vulnerable Afghans in country as well as support for neighboring states, and agreed to continue planning for this work in the upcoming virtual meeting of [Group of Seven] G7 partners.”
Group of Seven (G-7) leaders are expected to meet virtually in the coming days to discuss, among other items, a coordinated approach to the end of the war in Afghanistan.
THERE’S MORE TO THIS ENTIRE ORDEAL THAN WE KNOW..
You’re more correct than you know. All the coverage of Afghanistan now is focused on this singular moment. A single moment does not sum up the 20 years of history that has taken place.
But it surely could’ve ended better…..
I can’t think of a worse time than now, to leave Afghanistan. Bad Bad Timing
The Vice President of Afghanistan is now crying about how the Western countries have let his country down. 20 years what the F… is he F……. talking about. Doesn’t he see what we are trying to do now for his country.
The ISAF mandate is what failed here.
When does Israel start evacuating afghans to Israel?
Amazingly, Biden media mimics everything Biden says whether it’s right or wrong. Leaving was never the issue, how the evacuation was carried is the problem. Before pulling out all troops why didn’t he start the evacuation then instead of pulling out everyone. Refugees should stay with their own culture in the Middle East, translators should come to US.
Why fight for Afghanistan?
Nothing but excuses from these clowns
Anyone with even a passing understanding of history could have predicted we would not prevail in Afghanistan. In fact, many of us did.
What? Are you kidding? You all sound like Joseph Goebbels and his ministry of truth defending Biden. NOBODY IS BUYING YOUR BULL
✈️💣 The only answer to Afghanistan..
Pelosi: stuff happens