President Biden “can’t picture” U.S. troops being in Afghanistan next year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 25, 2021
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—In his first press conference, President Biden was asked whether U.S. troops would still be in Afghanistan in 2022. The president responded, “I can’t picture that being the case.” Defense Priorities Policy Director Benjamin H. Friedman issued the following statement in response:

“President Biden’s commitment to remove U.S. troops from Afghanistan by year’s end is welcome. Meeting the May 1 withdrawal deadline would be even better. Prolonging much beyond that is not logistically justified and could invite renewed U.S. casualties fighting against the Taliban.

“Remember, the scheduled U.S. exit from Afghanistan is not due to the last president’s ‘hasty’ decision to get out. It is a consequence of a failed counterinsurgency mission that already lasted far too long.”

Author

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities