Stand Squarely Behind Afghanistan Pull-Out, Says Joe Biden Amid Criticism

"I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, I've learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw US forces," President Joe Biden said in a televised address from the White House.

President Joe Biden defended the US pullout of Afghanistan Monday, saying he stood by the policy and that it was time to leave after 20 years of conflict. "I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, I've learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw US forces," he said in a televised address from the White House. He added that the US national interest in Afghanistan was always principally about preventing terrorist attacks from the war-torn nation on the US homeland.