Biden has only bad options as Afghanistan withdrawal deadline nears – Axios

Category: Afghanistan

There are just 10 weeks left of America's war in Afghanistan at least on paper.

Why it matters: Donald Trump pledged a full troop withdrawal by May 1 as part of a deal struck one year ago with the Taliban. President Biden must now decide whether he can bear the risks of honoring it.

The big picture: Under the deal, the Taliban promised to reduce violence, engage in peace talks with the Afghan government (which was not a party to the Trump-Taliban deal), and ensure that Afghanistan doesnt again become a haven for terror groups like al-Qaeda.

The state of play: The Pentagon has accused the Taliban of shirking its commitments but says the deal remains operative. Biden also kept on the man who negotiated it, Zalmay Khalilzad.

Biden has three broad choices.

1. Get out on time.

2. Pull out of the deal and return to a conditions-based approach.

3. Seek an extension to the deadline and put renewed emphasis on the peace process.

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Biden has only bad options as Afghanistan withdrawal deadline nears - Axios

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February 23rd, 2021
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