'The sooner we finish the better': Biden keeps Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw from Afghanistan

ST as we stood up, an unprecedented global effort, I updated our partners On a significant progress we made in the past 10 days. As of this afternoon, we've helped evacuate 70,700 people just since august the 14th, 75,900 people since the end of July. Just in the past 12 hours. Another 19 U. S. Military flights, 18 C seventeen's and one C 1 30 carrying approximately 6400 evacuees and 31 coalition flights carrying 5600 people have left Kabul Just in the last 12 hours. The total of 50 more flights, 12,000 more people since updated you this morning. These numbers are testament to the efforts of our brave service women and men, to our diplomats on the ground in Kabul and to our allies still standing with us. And we had a productive discussion. There was strong agreement among the leaders about both about evacuation evacuation mission underway as well as the need to coordinate our approach to the afghan to Afghanistan as we move forward. First, on evacuation, we agreed that we will continue to close our close cooperation to get people out as efficiently and safely as possible. We are currently on a pace to finish by August 31. The sooner we can finish the better each day of operations brings added risks or troops, but The completion by August 31 depends upon the Taliban continuing to cooperate allow access to the airport for those who were transport transporting out and no disruption to our operations. In addition, I've asked the pentagon and the State Department for contingency plans to adjust the timetable should that become necessary. I'm determined to ensure that we complete our mission. This mission, I'm also mindful of the increasing risks that I've been, I've been uh briefed on and the need to factor those those risks in. They're real and significant challenges that we also have to take into consideration the longer we stay. Starting with the acute and growing risk of an attack by a terrorist group known as ISIS K. An ISIS affiliate in Afghanistan, which is the sworn enemy of the Taliban as well. Every day we're on the ground, there's another day we know that IsIS K. Is seeking to target the airport attack, both U. S. And allied forces and innocent civilians. Additionally, thus far, the Taliban have been taking steps to work with us so we can get our people out. But it's a 10uous situation. We already had some gun fighting break out. We run a serious risk of it breaking down as time goes on Second, the G seven leaders and the leaders of the Eu NATO and the U. N. All agreed that we will stand united in our approach to the taliban. We agreed the legitimacy of any future government depends on the approach it now takes to uphold international obligations including to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a base for terrorism and we agree that none of us are going to take the Taliban's word for it will judge them by their actions and we'll stay in close coordination on any steps that we take moving forward in response to the taliban's behavior. At the same time, we renewed our humanitarian commitment to the afghan people and supported a proposal by the secretary general. Guterres of the United Nations led international response with unfettered humanitarian access in Afghanistan. Third, we talked about our mutual obligation to support refugees and evacuees currently fleeing Afghanistan. The United States will be a leader in these efforts and we'll look to the international community and to our partners do the same. We're already seeing our allies commitment. They're bringing their they're bringing to their countries. The afghans who served alongside their forces as translators are in their embassies just as we're bringing to the United States, those afghans who worked alongside our forces and diplomats were continuing that effort were conducted thorough security screening and the intermediate stops. They're making for anyone who is not a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Anyone arriving in the United States will have undergone a background check and and we must all work together to resettle thousands of afghans who ultimately qualify for refugee status. The United States will do our part and we are already working closely with refugee organizations to rebuild the system that was purposely destroyed by my predecessor. Finally, we agreed to stay vigilant against terrorist threats that had metastasized around the world. We went to Afghanistan with our allies in 2001 for clear reasons, One to get the people who attacked us on 9:11 and to get Osama bin Laden and to make sure that Afghanistan was not used again as a base from which to attack the United States or our allies. We achieved that objective. We delivered justice to bin laden more than a decade ago, But the current environment looks very different than it did in 2001. And we have to meet the challenges we face today. We run effective counterterrorism operations around the world where we know terrorism is more of a threat than it is today in Afghanistan without any permanent military presence on the ground. And we can and will do the same thing in Afghanistan with our over the horizon counterterrorism capability. Cooperation with our closest partners on our enduring counterterrorism mission will continue to be an essential piece of our strategy. In short, we all all of us agreed today that we're going to stand shoulder to shoulder with our closest partners to meet the current challenges we face in Afghanistan. Just as we have for the past 20 years, we're acting in consultation and cooperation with our closest friends and fellow democracies and I want to again thank all of our allies and partners around the world who have rallied in support of our shared mission. We ended the conversation today by a clear statement of all of our parts. We are going to stay united locked at the hip in terms of what we have to do. We'll get that done. And tomorrow I've asked um Secretary Blinken to give you an update in a detailed report on exactly how many americans are still in Afghanistan. How many got out and what our projection is. So thank you again. God bless you and may God protect our diplomats and all those in harm's way. Thank you will be out before the truth. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mhm.

President Joe Biden said that the U.S. is on track to complete its evacuation mission by Aug. 31 and he does not plan to have American troops in the country past that date — but he recognized that it's up to the Taliban whether that mission will be done on time."We are currently on a pace to finish by Aug. 31. I am determined to complete our mission," Biden said in a much-delayed speech from the White House.But, he added, "The completion by Aug. 31 depends on the Taliban continuing to cooperate and allow access to the airport to those who are transporting out and no disruptions to our operation.""The sooner we finish the better," Biden said.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden relayed his decision in crisis talks of the Group of 7 on Tuesday morning, making clear the decision to stick to the withdrawal timeline was in large part driven by those security risks."The president conveyed that our mission in Kabul will end based on the achievement of our objectives," Psaki said in a statement. "He confirmed we are currently on pace to finish by August 31st and provided an update on progress in evacuating Americans who want to come home, third-country nationals, and Afghans who were our allies during the war."Psaki said Biden noted that each day the risks are getting higher in a country now controlled by the Taliban. The President made a particular point of warning of the potential for terror attacks, which has become an acute concern inside his administration, Psaki said.Still, Biden has asked for contingency plans in case he determines at a later date the U.S. needs to remain in the country for longer. And on the G7 video conference, he left open the possibility of extending past the end-of-month deadline should the dynamic with the Taliban change.European allies of the United States stressed during the talks that they wanted to ensure any possibility of a deadline extension was considered by the U.S., according to a person familiar with the call.While advocating for leaving at the end of the month, Biden said the risk of an attack is "very high," an administration official said.Even as the United States flies tens of thousands of people out of the country, the situation in Afghanistan remains desperate and many Afghans who assisted the war effort are still awaiting their turn to leave. U.S. officials have described in stark terms the real threat of terror attacks at the Kabul airport as crowds gather outside the gatesBiden spoke for seven minutes on the G7, which includes the heads of the world's leading democracies.Evacuation effort picks up steamThe crisis talks of the G7 come as the Afghanistan evacuation effort has picked up steam in the past days, now far exceeding the administration's initial daily goals. The White House said on Tuesday that 12,700 people were evacuated by 37 U.S. military flights and 8,900 were evacuated by coalition flights over the past 24 hours. The Pentagon added that the military has increased the pace of flights out of Kabul to one aircraft every 45 minutes.In total, the White House says U.S. efforts have facilitated the evacuation of approximately 58,700 people since Aug. 14, and 63,900 since the end of July. Approximately 1,000 Afghans have arrived at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, DC, in the last 24 hours, according to the Pentagon.The massive logistical undertaking by the American military — which took control of part of Kabul's international airport, including its air traffic control, in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover — has allowed other countries to evacuate their citizens. If the U.S. withdraws, its unclear whether civilians from any country would still be able to leave.Despite the massively scaled-up flights, some of Biden's advisers were worried about U.S. troops' safety and the potential for ISIS or Taliban reprisals should they stay any longer than Aug. 31. Representatives for the Taliban have called the deadline firm, and said American troops remaining past the date would amount to a "clear violation" of their agreement with the United States.The administration has remained in daily discussion with the Taliban on security matters, including the end-of-month deadline. The CIA director, Bill Burns, traveled to Afghanistan this week to meet with Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar, according to senior administration officials, who said the US is seeking a clearer understanding of where the Taliban stands on several issues as the clock ticks towards the deadline.Burns, a seasoned career diplomat, is the highest-ranking U.S. official to meet in person with Taliban leadership since Afghanistan's civilian government collapsed on Aug. 15.Some on the president's national security team warned against an extension. Instead, they pointed to the rapidly sped-up flights out of the country and said they still believe there is time to compete the effort before September."We believe that we have time between now and the 31st to get out any American who wants to get out," national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Monday.Any extension would have been likely be very brief and focused only on evacuating Americans, according to one official familiar with the matter, who said all contingencies were under discussion. The Taliban has made clear that "our leadership will take proper and necessary decision(s)" should the U.S. stay past Aug. 31, spokesman Sohail Shaheen said Monday."August 31 is deadline announced by them," the Taliban spokesman said. "US must adhere to removing troops from Afghanistan by this date. Otherwise, it will be a clear violation."G7 nations pressure US to stay past August 31The emergency meeting of the G7 was called this week to respond to the chaotic events in Kabul, where tens of thousands of foreign nationals and Afghan citizens who assisted in the war effort are desperately trying to leave.Britain and France in particular were pressing Biden to leave troops in country for an extra few days, arguing it would still allow him to meet his original 9/11 withdrawal date for U.S. forces.Even some U.S. Democrats agree; House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff emerged from a classified briefing with intelligence officials on Monday pessimistic the Biden administration will be able to meet its goal of evacuating all Americans and its allies from Afghanistan by Aug. 31, saying that was "very unlikely.""It's hard for me to imagine all of that can be accomplished between now and the end of the month," Schiff said, adding he was worried about the terror threat to the airport.There was another all-member House briefing on Afghanistan scheduled for Tuesday morning. Top members of Biden's national security team, including the secretaries of State and Defense, all briefed lawmakers.Emerging afterward, lawmakers from both parties said they pressed the officials to extend the August 31 deadline."There was strong, bipartisan support to extend the Aug. 31 deadline," said Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat. "That was a major theme, a major comment a major point we all tried to make, urging them to do more to advocate with the President to extend the deadline."G7 members also planned on Tuesday to discuss whether or when they should jointly recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan's government, western officials familiar with the planning told CNN. Any decision on whether to recognize the Taliban would come with enormous consequence that could be used as leverage to compel the group to respect human rights, the officials said.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is hosting the meeting as the current G7 president, is advocating for a unified approach to the Taliban, according to western officials. He wants the world's leading democracies to come up with a plan on how to recognize the government or potentially apply economic sanctions or withhold aid.So far no governments have recognized the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan. Doing so could allow the country access to previously committed foreign aid. Non-G7 powers like China and Russia have also been in contact with the Taliban.Biden has said he wants to see "harsh conditions" applied to the Taliban, particularly in how they treat women and girls, before lending their government legitimacy. He said Sunday he was open to applying sanctions.Tuesday's G7 call is also expected to include the Secretaries General of NATO and the United Nations. Both organizations are expected to play a role going forward in Afghanistan.The Pentagon has advised Biden he must decide by Tuesday in order to leave enough time for troops and equipment to leave the country by the end of the month, according to officials familiar with the matter.

"We are currently on a pace to finish by Aug. 31. I am determined to complete our mission," Biden said in a much-delayed speech from the White House.

But, he added, "The completion by Aug. 31 depends on the Taliban continuing to cooperate and allow access to the airport to those who are transporting out and no disruptions to our operation."

"The sooner we finish the better," Biden said.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden relayed his decision in crisis talks of the Group of 7 on Tuesday morning, making clear the decision to stick to the withdrawal timeline was in large part driven by those security risks.

"The president conveyed that our mission in Kabul will end based on the achievement of our objectives," Psaki said in a statement. "He confirmed we are currently on pace to finish by August 31st and provided an update on progress in evacuating Americans who want to come home, third-country nationals, and Afghans who were our allies during the war."

Psaki said Biden noted that each day the risks are getting higher in a country now controlled by the Taliban. The President made a particular point of warning of the potential for terror attacks, which has become an acute concern inside his administration, Psaki said.

Still, Biden has asked for contingency plans in case he determines at a later date the U.S. needs to remain in the country for longer. And on the G7 video conference, he left open the possibility of extending past the end-of-month deadline should the dynamic with the Taliban change.

European allies of the United States stressed during the talks that they wanted to ensure any possibility of a deadline extension was considered by the U.S., according to a person familiar with the call.

While advocating for leaving at the end of the month, Biden said the risk of an attack is "very high," an administration official said.

Even as the United States flies tens of thousands of people out of the country, the situation in Afghanistan remains desperate and many Afghans who assisted the war effort are still awaiting their turn to leave. U.S. officials have described in stark terms the real threat of terror

Biden spoke for seven minutes on the G7, which includes the heads of the world's leading democracies.

Evacuation effort picks up steam

The crisis talks of the G7 come as the Afghanistan evacuation effort has picked up steam in the past days, now far exceeding the administration's initial daily goals. The White House said on Tuesday that 12,700 people were evacuated by 37 U.S. military flights and 8,900 were evacuated by coalition flights over the past 24 hours. The Pentagon added that the military has increased the pace of flights out of Kabul to one aircraft every 45 minutes.

In total, the White House says U.S. efforts have facilitated the evacuation of approximately 58,700 people since Aug. 14, and 63,900 since the end of July. Approximately 1,000 Afghans have arrived at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, DC, in the last 24 hours, according to the Pentagon.

The massive logistical undertaking by the American military — which took control of part of Kabul's international airport, including its air traffic control, in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover — has allowed other countries to evacuate their citizens. its unclear whether civilians from any country would still be able to leave.

Despite the massively scaled-up flights, some of Biden's advisers were worried about U.S. troops' safety and the potential for ISIS or Taliban reprisals should they stay any longer than Aug. 31. Representatives for the Taliban have called the deadline firm, and said American troops remaining past the date would amount to a "clear violation" of their agreement with the United States.

The administration has remained in daily discussion with the Taliban on security matters, including the end-of-month deadline. The CIA director, Bill Burns, to meet with Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar, according to senior administration officials, who said the US is seeking a clearer understanding of where the Taliban stands on several issues as the clock ticks towards the deadline.

Burns, a seasoned career diplomat, is the highest-ranking U.S. official to meet in person with Taliban leadership since Afghanistan's civilian government collapsed on Aug. 15.

Some on the president's national security team warned against an extension. Instead, they pointed to the rapidly sped-up flights out of the country and said they still believe there is time to compete the effort before September.

"We believe that we have time between now and the 31st to get out any American who wants to get out," national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Monday.

Any extension would have been likely be very brief and focused only on evacuating Americans, according to one official familiar with the matter, who said all contingencies were under discussion. The Taliban has made clear that "our leadership will take proper and necessary decision(s)" should the U.S. stay past Aug. 31, spokesman Sohail Shaheen said Monday.

"August 31 is deadline announced by them," the Taliban spokesman said. "US must adhere to removing troops from Afghanistan by this date. Otherwise, it will be a clear violation."

G7 nations pressure US to stay past August 31

The emergency meeting of the G7 was called this week to respond to the chaotic events in Kabul, where tens of thousands of foreign nationals and Afghan citizens who assisted in the war effort are desperately trying to leave.

Britain and France in particular were pressing Biden to leave troops in country for an extra few days, arguing it would still allow him to meet his original 9/11 withdrawal date for U.S. forces.

Even some U.S. Democrats agree; House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff emerged from a classified briefing with intelligence officials on Monday pessimistic the Biden administration will be able to meet its goal of evacuating all Americans and its allies from Afghanistan by Aug. 31, saying that was "very unlikely."

"It's hard for me to imagine all of that can be accomplished between now and the end of the month," Schiff said, adding he was worried about the terror threat to the airport.

There was another all-member House briefing on Afghanistan scheduled for Tuesday morning. Top members of Biden's national security team, including the secretaries of State and Defense, all briefed lawmakers.

Emerging afterward, lawmakers from both parties said they pressed the officials to extend the August 31 deadline.

"There was strong, bipartisan support to extend the Aug. 31 deadline," said Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat. "That was a major theme, a major comment a major point we all tried to make, urging them to do more to advocate with the President to extend the deadline."

G7 members also planned on Tuesday they should jointly recognize the Taliban as , western officials familiar with the planning told CNN. Any decision on whether to recognize the Taliban would come with enormous consequence that could be used as leverage to compel the group to respect human rights, the officials said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is hosting the meeting as the current G7 president, is advocating for a unified approach to the Taliban, according to western officials. He wants the world's leading democracies to come up with a plan on how to recognize the government or potentially apply economic sanctions or withhold aid.

So far no governments have recognized the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan. Doing so could allow the country access to previously committed foreign aid. Non-G7 powers like China and Russia have also been in contact with the Taliban.

Biden has said he wants to see "harsh conditions" applied to the Taliban, particularly in how they treat women and girls, before lending their government legitimacy. He said Sunday he was open to applying sanctions.

Tuesday's G7 call is also expected to include the Secretaries General of NATO and the United Nations. Both organizations are expected to play a role going forward in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon has advised Biden he must decide by Tuesday in order to leave enough time for troops and equipment to leave the country by the end of the month, according to officials familiar with the matter.

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