The Biden administration is clearly leaning in the direction of not pulling troops out of Afghanistan by May 1, as called for in the February 2020 agreement the Trump Administration signed with the Taliban. President Joe Biden, in an interview with ABC News that aired on Wednesday, said he was consulting with allies on the pace and scope of the drawdown, and added that if the deadline were to be extended, it would not be by “a lot longer.”
“That was not a very solidly negotiated deal that the president, the former president worked out,” Mr. Biden said in the interview taped on Tuesday. “We’re in consultation with our allies as well as the government, and that decision is in process now.” Biden said it would be difficult for all service members to leave by May 1. “It could happen,” he said, “but it is tough.”
The Brits agree: “It’s important we get this right, and that we again keep our eyes on the strategic goal rather than work to one or another deadlines,” Dominic Raab, the British foreign secretary, said on Wednesday in an interview with the Aspen Security Forum.
The two most powerful Senate committee chairmen on such matters–Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Jack Reed (D-Conn.) of the Armed Services Committee—appear to be giving Biden cover to keep the troops there longer. At least, that’s how Axios characterized recent statements that they’ve made on Afghanistan.
Menendez said last week that Biden may have to reconsider the deadline. He told reporters he’s concerned about “the viability” of the peace process in Afghanistan. “We have to look at the realities of what’s happening in Afghanistan,” he told Axios yesterday. “It seems to me the Taliban is not meeting its obligations. After so many [American] lives and national treasure, we need to make sure that when we leave, we leave in a way that can provide stability.”
Reed has gone even further: He said Biden should not withdraw all forces and is worried that having no presence in the region could give way to further terrorist attacks. “I would expect some extension,” Reed ultimately said of the timeframe.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), one of Biden’s closest allies in Congress, told Axios, “This is weighing very heavily” on the president. “He’s having a hard time.” Perhaps another 20 years will solve everything.