Biden’s plan to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan divides Congress – but not just on party lines

The blending of the two sides’ views on Afghanistan as Biden plans to withdraw US troops – to deliver on a campaign promise that both President Barack Obama and Donald Trump eluded – is a sign of how Afghanistan has progressed. gone beyond traditional bias as the war drags on for nearly two decades. It is also an offshoot of the bipartisan pressure that was put in place to prevent Trump from removing all US troops from Afghanistan during his tenure.

Republican hawks responded with a swift conviction.

“It is a grave mistake to quickly withdraw US troops from Afghanistan. It is a withdrawal in the face of an unconquered enemy and relinquishing US leadership,” said Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky. for minorities in the Senate. “Leaders in both sides, including me, criticized when the previous government raised the concept of a reckless withdrawal from Syria and Afghanistan.”

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, another hawk who has repeatedly criticized the Obama administration’s withdrawal from Iraq and the withdrawals in Afghanistan, said a complete withdrawal was “more stupid than filth and devilishly dangerous.”

“President Biden will have essentially canceled insurance against another 9/11,” Graham said.

And Senator Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Forces Committee, said it was “outrageous” and had no justification.

But some Republicans who have joined McConnell to attack Biden on multiple fronts have taken a different view – even beyond libertarians like Sen. remove troops from the Middle East.

Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, said on Tuesday that he was “glad the troops are coming home.”

“Bringing our troops home should not be taken as a sign that America will be less vigilant about protecting American lives and those of our allies, but we can do this without a permanent military presence in a hostile territory,” said Cruz.

On the Democratic side, there was much praise for Biden’s decision from lawmakers who have long been skeptical of an expanded American presence in the Middle East.

“For nearly 20 years, we have adopted a costly, war-based approach to national security and counter-terrorism policies with no clear end game,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts. “Although our withdrawal is years late, President Biden recognizes the reality that our continued presence there is not making the US or the world any safer.”

But some Democrats said they were concerned about premature withdrawal from the country and losing its achievements, especially when it comes to women’s rights in Afghanistan.

“While this decision was made in coordination with our allies, the US has sacrificed too much to bring stability to Afghanistan without verifiable guarantees of a secure future,” the New Hampshire senator wrote. “It undermines our commitment to the Afghan people, especially Afghan women.”

Top national security Democrats said they supported the decision, but they recognized the risks it posed.

Senate President of Foreign Relations Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey told reporters on Tuesday that he wants to get troops home after a very long war, but he is worried that “we will not lose what we wanted to achieve.”

Menendez, who had not yet been briefed on the decision, warned on Tuesday that if there were to be a “civil society relapse” after US troops leave Afghanistan later this year, he would like to cut off financial aid to the country, something the financial aid to the country. possibility to rebuild.

“I certainly will not support aid to Afghanistan if there is a backlash to civil society, the rights that women have been able to achieve. no money will flow. So I don’t know how they will rebuild the country, “said the New Jersey Democrat.

Senate Armed Forces Chairman Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, described the move as a “transitional period rather than a closure.” Reed told reporters that he spoke with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about the decision on Monday.

“We also need to remain present for regional stability. We have two nuclear armed forces in the region, especially with regard to Pakistan. And so we will continue both active diplomacy and active counter-terrorism,” said Reed. “It’s a really tough decision from the president. I think it was shaped by a number of factors. I think the deal itself really gave the Taliban the green light that we couldn’t be there after May 1. we inherited. “

When asked if he supported the decision to withdraw, Reed said, “You know, there’s no easy answer.”