Tony Blinken: The Situation in Afghanistan ‘Is Not Saigon’

‘We have succeeded in [the Afghanistan] mission’

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EXCERPT:

BLINKEN: "No, we're not. Remember, this is not Saigon. We went to Afghanistan 20 years ago with one mission. And that mission was to deal with the folks who attacked us on 9/11. And we have succeeded in that mission. The objective that we set, bringing those who attacked us to justice, making sure that they couldn't attack us again from Afghanistan, we have succeeded in that mission. And, in fact, we succeeded a while ago. And, at the same time, remaining in Afghanistan for another one, five, 10 years is not in the national interest. The British were there for a long time in the 19th century. The Russians were there for a long time in the 20th century. We have now been there twice as long as the Russians. And how that's in our national interest, I don't see. And, as I mentioned a moment ago, I think most of our strategic competitors around the world would like nothing better than for us to remain in Afghanistan for another year, five years, 10 years, and have those resources dedicated to being in the midst of a civil war. It's simply not in our interest."

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