Former Marine Corps general says the Taliban’s relationship with al-Qaeda is ‘far stronger’ than with US
BY MIRANDA NAZZARO - 09/10/23 2:55 PM ET
Gen. Frank McKenzie, a former commander of the United States Central Command, said Sunday the Taliban’s relationship with al-Qaeda is “far stronger” than with the United States.
McKenzie was shown a clip of President Biden in June where he responded to some of the documented failures of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, telling reporters, “Remember what I said about Afghanistan? I said al-Qaeda would not be there. I said it wouldn’t be there. I said we get help from the Taliban. I was right.”
When asked on CBS’s “Face The Nation” about Biden’s description of the U.S. working with the Taliban, McKenzie said, “While [the Taliban] might … make some temporary accommodation as they did when we withdrew from Afghanistan, they weren’t to be trusted, and they actually have a long-term familial and customary relationship with al-Qaeda, and it’s very difficult to think that would change. I think that relationship is far stronger than any potential relationship they choose with the United States.”
https://thehill.com/policy/international/4196912-former-marine-corps-general-says-the-talibans-relationship-with-al-qaeda-is-far-stronger-than-with-us/
