After months of deliberation and consultation with his national security team, President Joe Biden made the historic decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by August 31, 2021. The decision marks the end of America’s longest war, spanning over two decades and costing thousands of lives.
In the final moments leading up to the announcement of the withdrawal, President Biden faced a complex and challenging decision-making process. Here is a timeline of what happened in those crucial moments:
April 14, 2021: President Biden announces his decision to end the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The decision comes after a thorough review of the situation on the ground and consultations with his national security team.
May 1, 2021: The original deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, set by the Trump administration in a peace agreement with the Taliban. President Biden decides to extend the deadline to August 31, 2021, to allow for a more orderly withdrawal.
July 2, 2021: President Biden visits the White House Situation Room to meet with his national security team, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. They discuss the latest developments in Afghanistan and the progress of the withdrawal process.
August 15, 2021: The Taliban launches a swift and stunning offensive across Afghanistan, capturing major cities and provincial capitals in a matter of days. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and security forces shocks the international community and raises concerns about the safety of U.S. personnel and Afghan allies.
August 26, 2021: President Biden holds a press conference at the White House to address the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and defend his decision to withdraw U.S. troops. He acknowledges the chaos and confusion surrounding the evacuation efforts but reaffirms his commitment to completing the withdrawal by August 31.
August 30, 2021: As the deadline for the withdrawal approaches, President Biden receives a final briefing from his national security team on the status of the evacuation mission and the remaining U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. He weighs the risks and challenges of extending the deadline but ultimately decides to stick to the original timeline.
August 31, 2021: In a televised address to the nation, President Biden announces the completion of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. He pays tribute to the service members who sacrificed their lives in the war and expresses gratitude to the diplomats, intelligence officers, and military personnel who carried out the evacuation mission.
The decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan marks the end of a chapter in American history and raises questions about the future of the region. President Biden’s leadership in navigating the complexities of the withdrawal process will be closely scrutinized in the days and weeks to come.