Biden claims Afghanistan evacuation would have been hectic no matter what

With U.S. troops now officially gone from Afghanistan, President Biden spoke Tuesday both in defense of his withdrawal decision and in celebration of the war's end, while simultaneously addressing the massive military evacuation effort that's received plenty of criticism from both sides of the aisle.
Biden once again said he was bound by the exit agreement former President Donald Trump's administration made with the Taliban, and he agreed it was in America's interest to withdraw from Afghanistan. The "real choice," he said, was "between leaving or escalating," and "I was not going to extend this forever war" or "a forever exit." Biden also said he views the mission as "an extraordinary success" due to the "incredible skill, [bravery], and selfless courage of the U.S. military and our diplomats and intelligence professionals."
Biden continued by addressing those who condemned what felt like the last-minute nature of the evacuations, adding that "I respectfully disagree" with the idea that mass evacuations could have began much sooner and been executed in a more orderly fashion. "There's nothing low-grade or low-risk or low-cost about any war," he added.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The president also reassured those Americans still in Afghanistan that "there is no deadline" on the U.S. commitment to bringing them home, and cautioned Islamic State affiliate ISIS-K that "we are not done with you yet."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Why are student loan borrowers falling behind on payments?
Today's Big Question Delinquencies surge as the Trump administration upends the program
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Not there yet: The frustrations of the pocket AI
Feature Apple rushes to roll out its ‘Apple Intelligence’ features but fails to deliver on promises
By The Week US Published
-
George Foreman: The boxing champ who reinvented home grills
Feature He helped define boxing’s golden era
By The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sets 25% tariffs on auto imports
Speed Read The White House says the move will increase domestic manufacturing. But the steep import taxes could also harm the US auto industry.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies urge White House to admit chat blunder
Speed Read Even pro-Trump figures are criticizing The White House's handling of the Signal scandal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Waltz takes blame for texts amid calls for Hegseth ouster
Speed Read Democrats are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Michael Waltz to step down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published