Afghanistan collapses but the WH is closed for business
Aug 16, 2021 3:46:15 GMT -5
Post by Honoria on Aug 16, 2021 3:46:15 GMT -5
August 16, 2021
Afghanistan collapses but the White House is closed for business
By Andrea Widburg
One of the requirements for people in leadership positions is that they lead. While it’s true that no one would ever confuse Biden with an actual leader, one would think that his handlers would at least prepare a statement for him to read regarding Afghanistan’s swift fall to the brutal, medieval Taliban. Not only is Biden silent, though, his press secretary, the psnarky Jen Psaki, is on vacation.
Since Afghanistan’s swift collapse began, Biden has been hanging out at Camp David. On Saturday, before Kabul fell to the Taliban, his office did publish a statement from him about events in Afghanistan. He mentioned practical steps, such as sending 5,000 troops in-country to rescue American and other allied personnel and to oversee the evacuation of Afghans who helped American troops and try to bring them to America.
Regarding those Afghans, it’s entirely possible that when they arrive here, Americans – especially women -- will suffer. Still, we can’t in good conscience leave them to the Taliban, who are slaughtering them wholesale.
Biden also said that he still believes in a “political settlement” and threatened the Taliban with military reprisals should Americans be hurt.
The rest of the statement is taken up with blaming everyone else, especially Trump, for what’s happening. However, the question isn’t whether the withdrawal was the right thing to do. The real issue is how the withdrawal took place. It’s difficult to imagine a more bungled job and, after seven months in office, that’s all on Biden and his State Department.
Continued at link
Afghanistan collapses but the White House is closed for business
By Andrea Widburg
One of the requirements for people in leadership positions is that they lead. While it’s true that no one would ever confuse Biden with an actual leader, one would think that his handlers would at least prepare a statement for him to read regarding Afghanistan’s swift fall to the brutal, medieval Taliban. Not only is Biden silent, though, his press secretary, the psnarky Jen Psaki, is on vacation.
Since Afghanistan’s swift collapse began, Biden has been hanging out at Camp David. On Saturday, before Kabul fell to the Taliban, his office did publish a statement from him about events in Afghanistan. He mentioned practical steps, such as sending 5,000 troops in-country to rescue American and other allied personnel and to oversee the evacuation of Afghans who helped American troops and try to bring them to America.
Regarding those Afghans, it’s entirely possible that when they arrive here, Americans – especially women -- will suffer. Still, we can’t in good conscience leave them to the Taliban, who are slaughtering them wholesale.
Biden also said that he still believes in a “political settlement” and threatened the Taliban with military reprisals should Americans be hurt.
The rest of the statement is taken up with blaming everyone else, especially Trump, for what’s happening. However, the question isn’t whether the withdrawal was the right thing to do. The real issue is how the withdrawal took place. It’s difficult to imagine a more bungled job and, after seven months in office, that’s all on Biden and his State Department.
Continued at link