Blame game begins as Afghanistan situation worsens
The U.S. and NATO military withdrawal may still be in its early phases, but the finger-pointing over who will be to blame for losing Afghanistan has already begun.
By BRYAN BENDER
05/13/2021 04:30 AM EDT
The U.S. and NATO military withdrawal may still be in its early phases, but the finger-pointing over who will be to blame for losing Afghanistan has already begun.
New battlefield gains by the Taliban and a spate of terrorist attacks, including the weekend bombing that killed at least 50 girls, are renewing calls for President Joe Biden to consider leaving some forces behind, ensure the Pentagon first secures agreements to use other bases in the region, and take additional steps to back up the Afghan government to prevent a Taliban takeover and the reemergence of terrorist groups.
Biden’s allies are also sharpening their argument that the Trump administration is most responsible for the current mess. They say the Trump team boxed Washington in with its agreement with the Taliban last year to pull out all U.S. troops by May 1, despite repeated violations by the militant Islamists. Even so, they are also insisting that continuing the current mission will ultimately make little difference.
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/13/blame-game-us-withdrawal-afghanistan-487845
