Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States needs to focus on “two huge consequences” after President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
Clinton, 73, told CNN on Sunday that “it is a very difficult decision” to withdraw soldiers from Afghanistan, warning that one consequence could be a “potential collapse of the Afghan government and a takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban.”
She added there would “probably” be a resumption of “civil war in certain parts of the country, but a largely Taliban-run government at some point in the not-too-distant future.”
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The former first lady and two-time presidential candidate said a secondary consequence could lead to a “resumption of activities” by global terrorist groups such as al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
“It’s one thing to pull out troops that have been supporting security in Afghanistan, supporting the Afghan military, leaving it pretty much to fend for itself, but we can’t afford to walk away from the consequences of that decision,” Clinton said.
Clinton defended the “many thousands of Afghans” who stood alongside the U.S. and NATO, adding that she feared there would be “a huge refugee outflow.” She said she hoped the U.S. would set up a visa program for anyone attempting to seek refuge away from Afghanistan.
Both Clinton and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have expressed concern to the House Foreign Affairs Committee over the decision.
Following the attacks on U.S. soil on Sept. 11, 2001, Rice and Clinton supported military intervention in the Middle East. Rice, who was former President George W. Bush’s national security adviser, helped the administration’s wartime response at the time.
The U.S. maintains roughly 2,500 troops and another 1,000 special forces in Afghanistan, working to root out terrorists and train Afghan security forces.
On April 13, Biden announced he would end the U.S. conflict in Afghanistan after 20 years of military presence in the country. His plan is to conclude the exit by Sept. 11. The announcement broke the deal former President Donald Trump signed between the Taliban that required the full U.S. withdrawal by May 1. Trump has since urged for a sooner withdrawal.
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The White House did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
