President Biden has returned to his residence in Delaware after taking no questions on Thursday about his stunning U-turn on Afghanistan.
The President has ordered three thousand American troops to take up positions at Kabul Airport where they will facilitate the evacuation of at least some staff from the US Embassy in the city.
Another three and a half thousand troops will remain on standby in Kuwait.
The news came as the southern city of Kandahar fell to the Taliban….more than a dozen provincial capitals are now in their hands….with Kabul itself the remaining big prize.
News of the troop deployment was announced by State Department spokesman Ned Price, who tried to persuade skeptical reporters that the US still intends to engage in what he called an "enduring partnership" with the Afghan people.
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OUT: "….in this government"
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600 British troops are to join the US-led military effort…they'll help repatriate British diplomats from Kabul.
Major General Charlie Herbert is a retired British army batalion commander who served three tours in Afghanistan.
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OUT: "….we will regret"
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Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks says events moved very swiftly at the White House Thursday.
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OUT: "…by the Biden administration"
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Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks explains the military deployments the President has authorized.
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OUT: "…several weeks ago"
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Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks says the U-turn is a foreign policy blow for the President.
IN: "For months…."
OUT: "…unforeseen challenges"
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