Official legislative records or credible news reports

Blinken Faces Scrutiny Over Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal, Admits Responsibility

Dec 12, 2024, 06:13 PM

Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced intense scrutiny during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing regarding the Biden administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021. Blinken admitted that he and President Joe Biden bear some responsibility for the chaotic evacuation that resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members in an ISIS attack at Kabul Airport. Despite initially defying congressional subpoenas, Blinken's testimony came after the November presidential election, where Donald Trump defeated Biden. Blinken claimed that the withdrawal was the 'right call' but acknowledged that the execution could have been better, expressing regret for not doing more to protect the fallen soldiers. He also faced criticism for not anticipating the rapid collapse of the Afghan government, despite warnings from diplomats a month prior to the fall of Kabul. The hearing highlighted the administration's failure to adequately prepare for the Taliban's resurgence and the hurried evacuation efforts that left thousands of Americans stranded.