WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY) joined ABC’s “This Week” to discuss the deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan, and argued that both the Biden and Trump Administrations bear responsibility for the disaster.
In the interview, the Congresswoman was asked why she believes the nearly 20-year effort of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan along with the $83 billion spent to train and equip the Afghan security forces, has ended in colossal failure.
“I think if you look at where we were if you look at what it would have taken in terms of maintaining the status quo, 2,500 to 3,500 forces on the ground conducting counterterrorism and counterintelligence operations, this disaster, the catastrophe that we’re watching unfold right now across Afghanistan did not have to happen,” said Cheney.
Cheney called the situation ‘devastating’, as Taliban leaders currently march into Kabul and prepare to take full control of Afghanistan, 20 years after they were removed by the U.S. military.
“It’s inexcusable, it’s devastating, and it is going to have ramifications not just for Afghanistan, not just for us in Afghanistan, not just for the War on Terror, but globally for America’s role in the world — the extent to which America’s adversaries know they can threaten us, and our allies are questioning this morning whether they can count on us for anything.”
The congresswoman additionally argued that President Trump also played a role in the unfolding of this disaster.
“I think that, absolutely, President Biden bears responsibility for making this decision, but there is no question that President Trump, his administration, Secretary Pompeo, they also bear very significant responsibility for this. They walked down this path of legitimizing the Taliban, of perpetuating this fantasy, telling the American people that the Taliban were a partner for peace. President Trump told us that the Taliban was going to fight terror. Secretary Pompeo told us that the Taliban was going to renounce al Qaeda. None of that has happened, none of it has happened.”
Ultimately, Cheney denounced the views of individuals she felt have played a role in perpetuating this war, mentioning that American security is at a greater risk than ever before.
“So, everybody, the Rand Paul, Donald Trump, Mike Pompeo, Joe Biden view of the world here is fundamentally dangerous and irresponsible and wrong,”
To watch the full interview click here.
