Latest Breaking News
Showing Original Post only (View all)Hillary Clinton warns of 'huge consequences' in Afghan US troop withdrawal [View all]
Source: BBC News
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned of "huge consequences" of President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan.
...
Mr Biden wants to complete the withdrawal by the 20th anniversary of the attacks later this year.
At least 2,500 US troops are currently deployed as part of the 9,600-strong Nato Afghan mission.
The president said the US pull-out was justified as American forces had ensured that the country could no longer be a base for foreign jihadists to plot against the West.
Asked about the president's decision by CNN's Fareed Zakaria on Sunday, Mrs Clinton said, "Our government has to focus on two huge consequences", notably the resumption of activities by extremist groups and a subsequent outpouring of refugees from Afghanistan.
She said the potential collapse of the Afghan government and a possible takeover by the Taliban could result in a new civil war.
Mrs Clinton said it was also important to protect the "many thousands of Afghans" who had worked with the US and Nato during the conflict, and said a large visa programme should be set up to provide for any refugees.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56966473
I support President Biden's decision. I firmly believe he has weighed the risks and has chosen his course of action based on the latest available intelligence.