BIDEN-HARRIS BLASTS FROM THE PAST: Biden Defends 'messy' US Pull-Out From Afghanistan; Harris Says She Had Key Role In Biden’s Afghanistan Withdrawal Decision; Kamala Harris Has Touted Her Role On Afghanistan Policy. Now, She Owns It Too

BBC

Biden defends 'messy' US pull-out from Afghanistan:

President Joe Biden has said he stands "squarely" behind the US exit from Afghanistan as he faces withering criticism over the Taliban's lightning conquest of the war-torn country.

"How many more American lives is it worth?" asked the Democratic president.

He said that despite the "messy" pull-out, "there was never a good time to withdraw US forces".

On Sunday, the Taliban declared victory after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled and his government collapsed.

The militants' return to rule brings an end to almost 20 years of a US-led coalition's presence in the country.

Kabul was the last major city in Afghanistan to fall to a Taliban offensive that began months ago but accelerated in recent days as they gained control of territories, shocking many observers.

Mr Biden's address followed a dramatic day at Kabul's international airport, where hundreds of civilians desperate to flee the country forced their way inside on Monday.

Many thronged the runway, running alongside a moving military transporter aircraft as it prepared for take-off.

Some clung to the side of a plane, and at least two of them are reported to have perished when they fell from the aircraft after it had left the ground. --->WATCH and READ MORE HERE (or HERE)

Evan Vucci/AP Photo

Harris says she had key role in Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal decision:

Vice President Kamala Harris confirmed Sunday that she was the last person in the room before President Joe Biden made the decision to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan.

In an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union,” Harris was asked about being the last person in the room regarding major decisions, something that Biden has said is important to him in his working relationship with the vice president. Harris confirmed that was the case regarding the move to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11.

The decision to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan was announced earlier this month. American troops have been in Afghanistan since October 2001, when the U.S. invaded in response to the 9/11 attacks the previous month.

“This is a president who has an extraordinary amount of courage,” she said, regarding the decision. “He is someone, who I have seen over and over again, make decisions based on what he truly believes ... is the right thing to do.” --->READ MORE HERE (or HERE)

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++++Kamala Harris has touted her role on Afghanistan policy. Now, she owns it too (if link doesn't work try HERE)++++++

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