Biden "Deeply Responsible for Terror"... US Media Calls It "Darkest Day Since Inauguration"

Threat of Retaliation After Full Pursuit
Attempt to Confront Critical Public Opinion Head-On
Reconfirmation: No Change in Withdrawal Policy

U.S. President Joe Biden is seen tightly closing his mouth during a national address at the White House in Washington, D.C., on the 26th (local time) regarding the bomb attack at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden has pulled out a retaliatory card in response to the suicide bombing near Kabul Airport in Afghanistan, marking a new phase in the Afghanistan withdrawal crisis.

President Biden apologized for the incident but repeatedly emphasized that there would be no extension of the withdrawal deadline. Concerns are rising that the Biden administration’s Middle East policy foundation, as well as the regime’s base, could be shaken due to the large-scale casualties caused by the rushed withdrawal process.

On the 26th (local time), President Biden said in a speech at the White House, when asked by a reporter if he still supports the withdrawal, "Yes," and added, "I take full responsibility for the current situation." He also said, "It seems there are problems such as people being injured or some being killed."

On the 26th (local time), a mourning flag was flown at the White House in Washington DC, USA, in memory of the victims of the bomb attack near Kabul Airport in Afghanistan.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his speech that day, President Biden also predicted that it would be difficult to evacuate all Afghans who cooperated with the U.S. by the evacuation deadline at the end of this month. He stated that efforts would continue to rescue them even after the deadline and that U.S. troops would be deployed if necessary, but reaffirmed that the withdrawal policy would not be reversed.

President Biden ordered the planning of attacks targeting the leadership and key assets of the Islamic State (IS), which was identified as the perpetrator of the terror attack. Accordingly, attacks targeting IS bases are expected soon. That day, he emphasized his determination for retaliation in a tough tone, saying, "We will not forgive," "We will not forget," and "We will track them down to the end and make them pay."

However, criticism of the Biden administration’s withdrawal decision is expected to grow stronger due to this terror attack. After Kabul was bloodlessly captured by the Taliban on the 14th, marking a defeat for the Biden administration, this terror attack dealt a decisive counterpunch.

The political media outlet Politico described the day as "the darkest day for the Biden administration." According to U.S. media, the 13 U.S. military personnel killed that day represent the largest number of casualties in a single day in Afghanistan since 2011.

Confusion within the Biden administration was also observed. Although President Biden convened a security meeting immediately after the terror attack, he did not deliver his message until after 5 p.m.

With President Biden’s absence, the hashtag "Where is Biden?" spread on social media, Politico reported. The White House press briefing was also postponed until after President Biden’s speech, showing signs of confusion.

This terror attack is also notable as it occurred while President Biden was trying to shift the focus of his foreign policy from the Middle East to China. On that day, President Biden was scheduled to hold a summit at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Since the Islamic State (IS), a troublesome group in the Middle East, led this terror attack, the U.S. may strengthen its involvement in the Middle East again. The Taliban, who control Afghanistan, and IS are also hostile to each other. President Biden may have to cooperate with the Taliban to carry out the promised retaliation against IS.

While President Biden showed patience toward the Taliban, he announced an immediate response to IS. He reacted strongly, saying, "We will not forgive," "We will not forget," and "We will track them down and make them pay." This also appears to be a deliberate response aimed at reversing public opinion that has turned due to the Afghanistan crisis.

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