In the months leading up to the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a report by House Republicans accused the Biden administration of ignoring warnings about deteriorating security and failing to plan and execute an emergency evacuation for Americans and Afghan allies in time. The report criticized both President Biden and former President Trump for their roles in the situation in Afghanistan, with both leaders bearing responsibility for the botched withdrawal. Biden defended his decision to withdraw troops, while Trump was criticized for reducing troop levels and negotiating with the Taliban.
The report highlights the failure of the White House and State Department to adequately plan for a potential emergency evacuation, despite warnings from officials on the ground in Kabul. The acting Ambassador in Kabul, Ross Wilson, was specifically singled out for not properly preparing for an evacuation and increasing embassy staffing as the security situation deteriorated. The report also criticized the handling of Afghan allies, with many not being prioritized for evacuation until it was too late.
The report mentioned the Abbey Gate bombing, where a suicide bomber killed civilians and U.S. military personnel at the airport, showcasing the chaos and lack of planning during the evacuation. It also criticized Trump’s envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, for trusting the Taliban’s promises and undermining the Afghan government in negotiations. Overall, the report emphasizes the lack of preparation and planning by both the Trump and Biden administrations, resulting in a chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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