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Biden announces troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
President Joe Biden on Wednesday declared that it is time to end “the forever war” as he announced the removal of all US troops from Afghanistan by 9 September – the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York City and the Pentagon.
Speaking from the White House Treaty Room where President George W Bush had announced airstrikes on Afghanistan two decades earlier, Mr Biden said the US could not continue to “expand our military presence” hoping to “create ideal conditions” for withdrawal.
The fourth US president to preside over American troops in Afghanistan, Mr Biden said he would “not pass the responsibility onto a fifth” as he vowed to begin troop withdrawal on 1 May.
Elsewhere, Democrats are reportedly preparing a bill aimed at expanding the Supreme Court to redress its Conservative-leaning majority following President Trump’s appointments.
According to The Intercept, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Reps. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., Hank Johnson, D-Ga., and Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., are planning to unveil the proposed legislation later on Thursday and will hold a press conference.
Month after hack, US poised to announce sanctions on Russia
The Biden administration is preparing to announce sanctions in response to a massive Russian hacking campaign that breached vital federal agencies, as well as for election interference, a senior administration official said.
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 10:17
Defence secretary: Military leaders consulted on Afghanistan decision
US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has said the decision to remove troops from Afghanistan was an “inclusive process” that included military leaders.
Their “voices were heard and their concerns are taken into consideration as the president made his decision,” he added.
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 10:05
Michigan GOP leader said he got Covid after being forced to attend party event he called a ‘den of virus’
A Michigan Republican leader is furious with his party members after he contracted a serious case of Covid-19 following a large event he was pressured to attend where few people were wearing masks.
My colleague Graig Graziosi has the story:
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 09:50
Democrats to unveil bill adding four new justices to the Supreme Court
My colleague Namita Singh has the full report:
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 09:35
‘Worst possible outcome’: Senator Lindsey Graham condemns troop withdrawal
“What do we lose by pulling out? We lose that insurance policy against another 9/11.
“There are no great outcomes, but this is the worst possible outcome – to pull out and hope that things will turn out well.
“With all due respect, President Biden, you have not ended the war. You have extended it.”
More from senator Graham below:
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 09:20
Obama: Biden move will restore US ‘standing around the world’
Joe Biden’s decision to remove troops from Afghanistan will help to restore the US’s “standing around the world”, Barack Obama has said.
The former president said that its “time to recognise” that the US had accomplished “all that we can militarily” as he called for leaders on Capitol Hill to remain diplomatically engaged with Afghanistan.
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 09:05
Failure to remove troops on time will ‘compound problems’, Taliban terror group threatens
The Taliban has said “problems will certainly be compounded” if troops are not removed from the region on time.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the terrorist group, said Afghanistan “seeks the withdrawal of all foreign forces from our homeland”.
“If the agreement is adhered to, a pathway to addressing the remaining issues will also be found,” he added.
“If the agreement is breached and foreign forces fail to exit our country on the specified date, problems will certainly be compounded and those who failed to comply with the agreement will be held liable.”
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 08:50
We respect Biden move to withdraw troops, Afghan president says
Afghanistan’s president has said he “respects” the Biden administration’s move to withdraw troops from the region.
Ashraf Ghani said he would would work with its US and NATO partners to “ensure a smooth transition”.
He added: “Afghanistan Afghanistan’s proud security and defense forces are fully capable of defending its people and country, which they have been doing all along, and for which the Afghan nation will forever remain grateful.”
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 08:35
ICYMI: Pelosi says she would have ‘battled’ capitol rioters with stilettos – ‘I’m a street fighter’
Nancy Pelosi has insisted that she would have fought back against pro-Trump rioters who stormed the Capitol on 6 January had they found her amid the riots.
My colleague Louise Hall reports:
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 08:30
Analysis: Swift Afghanistan troop withdrawal loomed after Trump lost election — but some special forces could remain
Almost all Nato troops in Afghanistan, along with those from Australia and New Zealand — just under 7,000 in total — are now expected to depart with the Americans by the symbolic date of 9/11, writes our defence and security editor, Kim Sengupta.
However, it is possible that units of special forces, including the British, will remain behind to support Afghan forces against the Taliban and its allies, as per the previous Trump withdrawal plan. The Pentagon is yet to comment on this issue.
Read Kim’s full analysis piece here:
Matt Mathers15 April 2021 08:14
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