The fate of Afghanistan is up to the Afghan people, President Joe Biden said repeatedly Thursday as American troops continued their withdrawal and Taliban forces swept through the country.
Biden announced that the 20-year U.S. war in Afghanistan, originally supposed to end by Sept. 11, will wrap up on Aug. 31. Defending his decision, Biden stressed that what happens next is up to Afghans, though he added that America will continue to fund and equip the government and help the Afghan military maintain its forces. Biden also said he does not believe America is responsible for civilian casualties that could happen if the Taliban rises to power after Western troops leave.
“It’s up to the people of Afghanistan to decide on what government they want, not us to impose the government on them,” he said during an address at the White House. Read More…
