20 Years After 9/11 Terror, Complete US Withdrawal from Afghanistan... Strategy Emphasizing Asia Announced

Unconditional Withdrawal Plan Regardless of Situation Change
Republicans Immediately Oppose
Europe Decides to Reinforce US Troops in Germany Instead of Reduction...To Contain Russia

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Joe Biden administration in the United States has decided to end the 20-year-long Afghanistan war. The plan to reduce U.S. troops stationed in Germany has been reversed, and instead, an increase in troops has been decided. As the Biden administration's global strategy takes shape, it is expected that interest in Asia will grow even more.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced at a briefing on the 13th (local time) that President Biden will personally announce the plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan on the 14th.

◇ U.S. global strategy turning point: "Focus on Asia" = Regarding this, U.S. media, citing sources, reported that the U.S. has decided to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This is a decision to end the endless war started by former President George W. Bush under the pretext of the 9/11 attacks. According to U.S. media such as CNN, a senior official explained that President Biden will not change the withdrawal plan regardless of how the situation changes. The withdrawal will begin on May 1.

Previously, former President Trump had agreed with the Afghan Taliban rebels to withdraw troops by May 1, but President Biden had indicated that meeting the withdrawal deadline would be difficult and mentioned that consultations with allies were ongoing. The New York Times (NYT) described this decision as "ending the longest war in U.S. history but dismissing experts' opinions that the withdrawal will encourage the emergence of another terrorist group." The Department of Defense is reported to have opposed the Afghanistan withdrawal plan.

The NYT also explained that, just as Britain did in the 19th century and Russia in the 20th century, the U.S. is leaving Afghanistan without achieving results. Over the past 20 years, the U.S. has spent $2 trillion in war expenses in Afghanistan and lost 2,400 soldiers.

The Washington Post (WP) evaluated this decision as an adjustment of the U.S. global strategy, reflecting President Biden's conviction that the focus should be on Asia.

WP recalled that this decision came amid Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's visit to the U.S., Special Climate Envoy John Kerry's visit to China, and the possibility of a U.S.-Russia summit and Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at a climate change summit. It is seen as an important turning point in President Biden's foreign strategy.

The Republican Party immediately opposed President Biden's withdrawal decision. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman James Inhofe criticized, "Afghanistan will become a civil war zone and a breeding ground for international terrorists."

The Taliban also launched an offensive. A Taliban spokesperson said, "We do not agree to delay the withdrawal after May 1." Last month, the Taliban also threatened to resume hostile actions against foreign troops if the May 1 withdrawal deadline was not met.

◇ U.S. troops in Germany rather expanded = President Biden reversed the plan to reduce U.S. troops stationed in Germany and instead decided to increase them. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in Berlin that 500 additional U.S. troops would be deployed to Germany. Previously, dissatisfied with Germany's defense cost-sharing, former President Trump had decided to reduce the U.S. troops in Germany by 12,000.

President Biden's decision is interpreted as a measure to block Russia's expanding influence due to the reduction of U.S. troops in Europe. Congressional media The Hill also reported that this decision was announced as Russia was amassing troops near the border with Ukraine. The Biden administration is taking a tough stance against Russia, including opposing the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project that Russia is promoting with Europe.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.