By The FirstOn July 23rd, President Biden spoke with President Ghani of Afghanistan about changing the perception that the Taliban are winning “whether it’s true or not.” The 14 minute phone call was likely the last call between the leaders before the Taliban took the capital.
“I need not tell you the perception around the world and in parts of Afghanistan, I believe, is that things are not going well in terms of the fight against the Taliban,” Biden said.
“And there is a need, whether it is true or not, there is a need to project a different picture.”
“We will continue to provide close air support, if we know what the plan is… And all the way through the end of August, and who knows what after that,” Biden added.
“In addition to that we are going to continue to fight hard, diplomatically, politically, economically, to make sure your government not only survives, but is sustained and grows because it is clearly in the interest of the people of Afghanistan, that you succeed and you lead.”
Ghani fled Kabul on August 15th. Biden fled Kabul on August 31st.
[h/t New York Post]
