Blinken Faces Heated Congressional Hearing on Afghanistan Withdrawal

Secretary of State Antony Blinken defends the Biden administration's actions during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal, citing limited options and prior agreements under Trump, as Republicans criticize the chaotic exit.

Antony Blinken testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, defending the Biden administration's decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan in 2021.
Blinken argued that the withdrawal was shaped by a 2020 agreement between the Trump administration and the Taliban, which he said left President Biden with limited choices to avoid escalation.
Republican lawmakers criticized the operation as poorly executed, highlighting the rapid collapse of the Afghan government, the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, and the abandonment of sensitive materials and weaponry.
Democratic lawmakers pointed to systemic failures across multiple administrations, emphasizing the challenges inherited from the Trump administration's withdrawal timeline without a detailed plan.
Protesters interrupted Blinken's testimony, and he expressed regret over the loss of American lives while maintaining that the decision to end the war was necessary to avoid renewed conflict.

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