RASC News Agency: The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan remains a subject of sharp criticism among American officials. Former President Donald Trump and several Republican lawmakers have repeatedly held President Joe Biden accountable for the chaos at Kabul airport, including the deaths of American troops. In a detailed report by The Washington Post, it was revealed that Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor, offered his resignation due to the disorderly and hasty withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. However, President Biden declined to accept his resignation.
The Washington Post highlighted that Sullivan had opposed the accelerated withdrawal. According to the report, Sullivan disclosed on Tuesday, December 31st, that Biden insisted he remain in his role despite his reservations. The chaotic retreat fractured the initial cohesion within Biden’s national security team, reportedly straining the relationship between Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The withdrawal, which took place in August 2021, culminated in a devastating suicide bombing at Kabul airport, resulting in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members on the final day of the operation.
Reflecting on the episode, Sullivan told The Post, “You cannot end a war like Afghanistan a war deeply entrenched in dependencies without its conclusion being fraught with complexity and challenges. The choice was stark: withdraw or remain indefinitely. It was not an easy decision.” Alex Ward, a journalist with The Wall Street Journal, countered claims of resignations, stating that no official formally offered to step down over the withdrawal.
To date, neither the White House nor the National Security Council has issued a statement regarding the report. This is not the first time Biden has faced internal criticism. Several U.S. officials have previously denounced the abrupt withdrawal, arguing that it undermined American strategic interests and international credibility.
