President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021 was made despite widespread objections from military advisers, NATO allies, and Afghan officials, according to a new congressional report.
The New York Post reports that the House Foreign Affairs Committee's investigation, spanning over two years, found that Biden was "hellbent" on leaving Afghanistan, prioritizing his personal legacy over national security interests.
The approximately 350-page report, released on Sunday, paints a picture of an administration focused on the political optics of the withdrawal while lacking foresight for potential scenarios. It alleges that the Biden administration consistently misled the American public to garner support for the hasty exit, disregarding the terms of the previously established Doha Agreement.
According to the report, nearly every military official advised against a complete withdrawal from Afghanistan. The document states that key figures, including the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Commander of U.S. Central Command, all recommended maintaining some troop presence in the country.
The investigation also revealed that NATO allies expressed concerns about the U.S. plan to withdraw. These objections were reportedly brushed aside as the administration pushed forward with its agenda.
Afghan officials, too, pleaded for more time to prepare for the U.S. departure. The report cites former Afghan Army General Haibatullah Alizai, who reportedly asked American commanders for a two-year extension, believing they could defeat the Taliban given more time.
The congressional report criticizes the Biden administration for failing to adequately plan for the withdrawal, particularly in terms of evacuating American citizens and Afghan allies. It highlights that the official order for a noncombatant evacuation operation was not given until August 16, 2021, a day after Kabul fell to the Taliban.
This lack of preparation reportedly had severe consequences for both civilians and U.S. personnel on the ground. The report suggests that concerns about the evacuation process were sidelined in favor of optics, with service members and foreign service officers directed to prioritize evacuating as many people as possible, regardless of the risks involved.
The release of the report comes just days before Vice President Kamala Harris is set to debate former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia. While Harris is mentioned sparingly in the document, she is among 15 administration officials whom the report recommends Congress pass a resolution condemning the Afghanistan debacle.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with unanswered questions remaining regarding the Department of Defense's actions on the ground during the withdrawal.
The White House has responded to the report, with spokesperson Sharon Yang calling it "based on cherry-picked facts, inaccurate characterizations, and pre-existing biases."
The House Foreign Affairs Committee's report on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan presents a scathing critique of the Biden administration's decision-making process and execution.
It alleges that President Biden disregarded crucial advice from military experts and allies, prioritized political considerations over national security, and failed to adequately plan for the evacuation of American citizens and Afghan allies. The report's findings are likely to fuel ongoing debates about U.S. foreign policy and military strategy in the region.
