President Biden said on Tuesday that ending the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan “was designed to save American lives.”
Why it matters: While Biden said he did not regret pulling U.S. troops from Afghanistan, he made a commitment to get Americans still in the country out even without a military presence.
- “I simply do not believe that the safety and security of America is enhanced by continuing to deploy thousands of American troops and sending billions of dollars … We will maintain the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and other countries. We just don’t need to fight a ground war to do it,” Biden said.
The big picture: All U.S. military planes officially left the Kabul airport on Monday night local time. The president had previously said he would keep troops for as long as it was needed to finish evacuations, but the Taliban had warned there would be “consequences” if the U.S. stayed past the deadline.
- The U.S. and 97 other nations reached an agreement with the Taliban on Sunday to allow them to continue to get Afghan allies out of the country after Aug. 31.
- Biden said that the U.S. had the necessary resources to ensure that the Taliban follows through on the deal.
Between the lines: Biden admitted that the “assumption that the Afghan government would be able to hold on for a period of time beyond military drawdown turned out not to be accurate.”
- The president sent a direct message to ISIS-K, the group responsible for the attack on the Kabul airport: “We are not done with you yet.”
- “For anyone who gets the wrong idea, let me say clearly, to those who wish America harm, to those engaged in terrorism against us or our allies, no this. The United States will never rest. We will not forgive. We will not forget. We’ll hunt you down to the end of the Earth and you will pay the ultimate price,” Biden added.
By the numbers: The U.S. facilitated the removal of more than 120,000 people — including 5,500 Americans, Biden said — but between 100 and 200 Americans and thousands of allies still remain.
- “The bottom line: 90% of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave,” Biden said.
What they’re saying: “Last night in Kabul, the United States ended 20 years of war in Afghanistan. The longest war in American history,” Biden said.
- “I was not going to extend this forever war. I was not extending a forever exit. The decision to end the military lift operation at Kabul airport was based on unanimous recommendation of my civilian and military advisers.”
- “We will continue to help more people leave the country who are at risk. We’re far from done.”
- “We succeeded in what we set out to do in Afghanistan over a decade ago. Then, we stayed for another decade. It was time to end the war.”
- “My fellow Americans, the war in Afghanistan is now over”
- “As we close 20 years of war and strife and pain and sacrifice, it’s time to look at the future, not the past. To a future that’s safer, to a future that’s more secure. To a future that honors those who’ve served and all those who gave what President Lincoln called their last full measure of devotion.”
“I give you my word with all of my heart,” Biden said. “I believe this is the right decision, a wise decision, and the best decision for America.”