U.S. President Joe Biden has left the judgment of the Afghanistan withdrawal to history, expressing confidence that it will ultimately be seen as the right decision.
In his latest address to U.S. military personnel, Biden stated that troops carried out the largest air evacuation in military history and ended the war. He also thanked American service members for their sacrifices, acknowledging the toll of the two-decade-long conflict. He noted that 2,465 American soldiers were killed, and over 20,000 were wounded during the war.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin echoed Biden’s sentiments, calling the decision a conclusion to America’s longest war. He emphasized that Biden did not pass the conflict on to another president.
These remarks come amidst ongoing criticism of the hasty U.S. withdrawal, which has faced scrutiny for its execution and subsequent consequences.
