The NPR Politics Podcast Military Officials Recommended Trump, Biden Keep Troops In Afghanistan
Sep 28, 2021
Military leaders reveal they recommended keeping troops in Afghanistan before the Taliban's swift takeover. The Senate hearing sparks debates over the evacuation strategy and its fallout. Various military officials express surprise at how quickly the Afghan government collapsed. The tension between military advice and civilian control is emphasized, highlighting ethical dilemmas faced by leaders. Bipartisan criticisms of the withdrawal's execution raise questions about trust in the Biden administration.
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Afghanistan Withdrawal Testimony
- Top Pentagon officials testified about the Afghanistan withdrawal, highlighting the scale of the airlift.
- They admitted surprise at the Afghan government's rapid collapse and the difficulty of assessing Afghan morale without U.S. advisors on the ground.
Conflicting Advice on Afghanistan
- Republicans criticized Biden for allegedly ignoring military advice on Afghanistan, claiming he should have considered keeping troops there longer.
- Jen Psaki clarified that Biden received conflicting advice, with varying risk assessments, not a unanimous recommendation to stay.
Withdrawal Miscalculation
- Biden's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan enjoys public support, but the execution of the withdrawal has drawn criticism.
- The miscalculation in the withdrawal process, including the deaths of service members, has damaged the administration's credibility.