Biden Ordered Afghanistan Withdrawal Despite Objections From Top Advisers, Congress – By Paul D. Shinkman and Lisa Hagen (US News) / April 13 2021
Leaders within the Pentagon and the intelligence community remain concerned about Biden’s plans to pull out of Afghanistan, U.S. News has learned
President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021 came over the objection of some of his closest advisers, U.S. News has learned, and in the face of vociferous concern from Capitol Hill.
Still, the former vice president who has repeatedly pledged to end “forever wars” considers a swift withdrawal to be the least bad of a series of terrible options.
Multiple sources confirm that Biden faced pressure from leaders within the Pentagon and the intelligence agencies who opposed a withdrawal before the end of the year. They fear the U.S.-backed local forces will be unable to endure Taliban violence, particularly without the unique capabilities the U.S. provides including air strikes, medical support and intelligence. And without the relative stability that America and its NATO allies can guarantee, they believe the Taliban will inevitably regain control of wider swathes of the country and eliminate the civil reforms efforts the U.S. tried to help instill there, including greater rights for women.
One source familiar with discussions within the National Security Council said Biden’s decision ultimately came down to a disagreement between Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser who endorsed the Pentagon and intelligence agencies’ viewpoint, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who supported Biden’s belief that, facing no good options, the U.S. should pursue the swiftest approach.
