Out of Afghanistan

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VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE TUE, AUG 17, 2021 CNBC POLITICS EDITOR'S NOTE Hello,   When President Biden stepped to the microphones Monday to address the nation about the scenes unfolding in Kabul, there was no way he could sugarcoat any of it.   The scenes from the fall of Afghanistan were horrifying, frustrating and heartbreaking. Nearly 20 years' worth of American occupation and support were crumbling before the world's eyes. Journalists were on the run. Afghan women prepared for brutal theocratic rule that has already led to forced "marriages" during the Taliban offensive, according to some reports.   And so the president, who was a senator when all of this started in 2001, and who was vice president for eight years of the two-decade war, decided to be blunt.    "I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years I've learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw U.S. forces," he said from the White House, after returning from Camp David.    Biden acknowledged that the Taliban swept to power faster than American analysts had predicted.  He vowed to continue providing humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. He spoke of diplomacy. But Biden also made it clear that the American military mission in the nation was over, and that he thinks it should stay that way.   Biden also said he was prepared to take criticism for following through with the withdrawal plan, even as he cited the Trump administration's role in the withdrawal and talked about Afghan forces who lost without putting up much of a fight.   "I know my decision will be criticized, but I would rather take all that criticism than pass this decision on to a future president," Biden said.   Indeed, the decision had been passed on to him. Then-President Trump negotiated a deal with the Taliban, and he set a withdrawal deadline of May. After he took office, Biden moved the deadline to Sept. 11, which would also mark 20 years since the terrorist attacks that provoked America to roll into Afghanistan in the first place. He didn't stall again, even as the Taliban gained momentum.    "I am president of the United States of America," Biden said. "The buck stops with me."   Thanks for reading CNBC Politics.   Thoughts? Tips? Email us at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.   Have friends or colleagues who might like this newsletter? They can sign up here.  Mike Calia @Michael_Calia KEY STORIES  Biden says Afghanistan war was a lost cause, vows to continue aid and diplomacy Biden's remarks came one day after Taliban insurgents pushed into Kabul after a rapid succession of victories over Afghan forces. Flights resume from Kabul airport as people scramble to leave Afghanistan Images from Hamid Karzai International and shared on social media and news outlets stunned the world. 'We are on fire': Five U.S. states set new records for Covid cases as hospitalizations rise Hospital bed capacity correlates closely with vaccination rates. The states with higher vaccination rates are seeing fewer Covid patients take up hospital beds. 'Intelligence failure of the highest order' — How Afghanistan fell to the Taliban so quickly "While the end result and bloodletting once we left was never in doubt, the speed of collapse is unreal," one Afghan War veteran told CNBC. Supreme Court will hear arguments Nov. 3 over NRA-backed challenge to NY gun law The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for a major case that centers on whether the Constitution guarantees the right to carry guns outside the home. Mystery shrouds nonprofit linked to wealthy Chinese exile: Steve Bannon leaves, records kept secret The mystery surrounding a nonprofit group tied to a wealthy Chinese exile has grown over the past year. New York Times, Washington Post, WSJ ask Biden to help evacuate Afghan colleagues of journalists Washington Post, New York Times and Wall Street Journal reporters are in danger at the Kabul airport after the Taliban seized the capital city of Afghanistan. Biden administration announces the biggest increase to food stamps ever Starting in October, food assistance benefits will increase by an average of 25% above pre-pandemic levels.     Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2021 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS