Biden blamed the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan on Afghan political leaders who fled the country and the unwillingness of the Afghan army to fight the militant group. He has also blamed his predecessor, former president Donald Trump, for empowering the Taliban and leaving them "in the strongest position militarily since 2001."
The decision to withdraw sparked criticism from allies and adversaries after the Afghan government collapsed within days and the United States scrambled to evacuate American civilians and embassy employees from Kabul.
"I stand squarely behind my decision," Biden said in a speech at the White House. "After 20 years I've learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw US forces. That's why we're still there."
"The truth is: this did unfold more quickly than we anticipated. So what's happened? Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country. The Afghan military gave up, sometimes without trying to fight," Biden said.
The Democrat has faced a barrage of criticism, from even his own diplomats, over his handling of the US exit, pulling out troops and then sending back thousands to help with the evacuation.
The political risks facing Biden from this decision, however, remain to be seen. Many Americans have expressed support for Trump and Biden's decision to leave Afghanistan, America's longest war.
The United States and allies invaded following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington and toppled the Taliban who had hosted al Qaeda militants responsible for the attacks.
On Monday, thousands of civilians desperate to flee Afghanistan thronged Kabul airport's single runway after the Taliban seized the capital, prompting the United States to suspend evacuations.
Five people were reported killed in the chaos. A US official told Reuters two gunmen had been killed by US forces there over the past 24 hours.
Biden also said his decision is a result of the commitment he made to American troops that he wasn't going to ask them to continue to risk their lives for a war that should have ended long ago.
"Our leaders did that in Vietnam when I got here as (a) young man. I will not do it in Afghanistan," he said. "I know my decision will be criticized but I would rather take all that criticism than pass this decision on to another president."
Biden also coupled his defense with a warning to Taliban leaders: let the US withdrawal proceed unimpeded or face devastating force.
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They should have never been invaded in the first place.
The whole exercise was a futile folly.
20 years, US$2,000,000,000, 2,500 U.S. military deaths, nearly 4,000 more U.S. civilian contractors killed, estimated 69,000 Afghan military police, 47,000 civilians killed, 51,000 dead opposition fighters, 20,000 U.S. casualties costing $300 billion with another half-trillion or so expected to come."
That is just the US, what about the UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, and Norway.
Osama Bin Laden got what he wanted !!!
Western countries need to focus on their own needs and stop inflicting their 'good intentions' on others.
Yes, living in Afghanistan is going to be repressive and I wouldn't want to be there but will guns, bombs and money fix it?
Obviously not !!
As for blaming Trump, it was he that campaigned on getting the troops home, to stop the endless wars that Bush started, Obama (the Piece Prize recipient) and Clinton who not only intensified but spread throughout the Middle East.
Trump actioned the Abraham Accord which is still bringing warring nations together.
They hate Trump so much because he shows the 'do gooder' elites for the fools they are !!