President Joe Biden announced Thursday the end date for the nearly 20-year-long war in Afghanistan is Aug. 31. The video above includes parts of President Biden’s announcement, as well as his post-announcement Q&A with reporters.
While this is another step towards actually leaving the country, the president said it is not a “mission accomplished” moment.
“The mission was accomplished in that we got Osama bin Laden and terrorism is not emanating from that part of the world,” Biden said.
The decision comes as the Taliban continues to make rapid advances in large parts of the country. Biden said it would be unacceptable if Kabul fell to the Taliban. However, he also said that scenario isn’t inevitable as of now.
“Do I trust the Taliban? No,” Biden said. “But I trust the capacity of the Afghan military, who is better trained, better equipped and more competent in terms of conducting war.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden administration officials always anticipated an uptick in violence as the United States withdrawal moved forward. She said prolonging U.S. military involvement would have led to an escalation of attacks on American troops.
The Biden administration has looked to frame the conflict as an “unwinnable war” that “does not have a military solution.”
Biden said it was “highly unlikely” one government will control Afghanistan after the U.S. pullout. He urged the Afghan government to reach a deal with the Taliban.
“We did not go to Afghanistan to nation build,” Biden said in a speech. “Afghan leaders have to come together and drive toward a future.”
To those calling for the U.S. to stay in Afghanistan, Biden said, “How many more, how many more thousands of American daughters and sons are you willing to risk?”
He added, “I will not send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan, with no reasonable expectation of achieving a different outcome.”
U.S. forces vacated Bagram Airfield earlier this week. Remaining U.S. troops are now concentrated in Kabul. The Pentagon said the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Scott Miller, is expected to end his tour of duty later this month.
