Lloyd Austin in Foreign Policy

On War & Peace: Wants to see a responsible end to US in Afghanistan

[On US withdrawal]: "What we want to see is a responsible end to this conflict," Austin told reporters in Kabul. "There's a lot of energy focused on doing what's necessary to bring a responsible end to this conflict." U.S. and Afghan officials worry that the Taliban will retake much of Afghanistan and turn back the clock on human rights that have progressed during nearly two decades of American troop presence.

Another factor is the Taliban's continued refusal to reduce violence. The Taliban demand the withdrawal of all U.S. troops as a condition of the deal; the United States wants to see violence decline first. Austin acknowledged to reporters that it was "obvious" the level of violence in the country remained "pretty high."

"We'd really like to see that violence come down, and I think if it does come down, it can begin to set the conditions for some really fruitful diplomatic work," Austin said.

Source: Foreign Policy magazine on 2021 Biden Administration Mar 21, 2021

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles in Foreign Policy magazine. Click here for other excerpts from Columns and news articles in Foreign Policy magazine. Click here for other excerpts by Lloyd Austin. Click here for a profile of Lloyd Austin.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Jul 21, 2024