Trump Pubishes New Details About Retaking the Panama Canal
Post-Assad Syrian Christians Rise Up to Celebrate Christmas
Since When Did We Republicans Start Being Against Punishing Criminals?
Taking Another Look At ‘Die Hard’
Protecting the Lives of Murderers, but Not Babies
Wishing for Santa-Like Efficiency in the USA
Man Arrested for Attempted Murder After Plowing Car Through Group of People on...
Bill Maher Has a Harsh Message for Liberals Who Cut Off Their Families...
Remember the Man Accused of Murdering Four University of Idaho Students? Well...
Russia Launched an ‘Inhumane’ Christmas Day Attack on Ukraine
Celebrating the Miracle of Redemption
A Letter to Jesus
Here's Why Texas AG Ken Paxton Sued the NCAA
Of Course NYT Mocks the Virgin Mary
What Is With Jill Biden's White House Christmas Decorations?
Tipsheet

Taliban Seizes Border Crossings, Claims 85% Control of Afghanistan After Biden Moves Up Withdrawal

AP Photo/Rahmat Gul

Just hours after President Biden announced he'd moved up the date of completion for America's military mission in Afghanistan, Taliban fighters escalated their offensives to lock down the country while claiming their insurgents now control 85 percent of Afghan territory. Afghan government officials, however, dispute the Taliban's claim as its forces fight to reclaim lost ground.

Advertisement

Originally targeted for September 11, 2021, Biden announced the end of American action in Afghanistan would come on August 31 in remarks delivered Thursday after U.S. forces abruptly withdrew from Bagram Air Base last week.

After seizing dozens of districts in recent weeks — some falling without even a fight — and sending Afghan security forces fleeing into neighboring countries by the thousands, Taliban fighters have moved to secure strategic border crossings to expand control over who and what comes in and out of Afghanistan.

Taliban officials reported their insurgents took control of the border crossing between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan as well as Afghanistan's biggest trade crossing with Iran.

Advertisement

In addition, Taliban fighters reached Afghanistan's border with China as the Taliban's leaders find themselves stuck between concerns over the Chinese Communist Party's horrific treatment of Muslim minorities and an opportunity for Chinese investment in a potentially Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Facing the vacuum left by U.S. forces' impending departure, the Taliban has suggested they won't interfere in Beijing's business.

The fate of Afghanistan after nearly two decades of U.S. action seems clear to everyone but the Commander in Chief, who defends his administration's withdrawal strategy and maintains that the Afghan government will remain in control of the country. The intelligence community, however, reports that the Afghan government is unlikely to last six months from the time of America's departure. 

Republicans in Congress continue to criticize the Biden administration's strategy in Afghanistan as the Taliban continues toppling districts and America's adversaries eye new opportunities to assert dominance in the region.

Advertisement

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement saying "speed is not ‘safety’ when it’s a rushed, politically expedient withdrawal to appease a liberal base – it’s a catalyst for failure." 

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement