US Congressman Slams Doha Agreement, Blames Khalilzad
In a recent interview with CBS News, Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the Doha Agreement between Zalmay Khalilzad and the Taliban. McCaul called the agreement a “slap in the face” to the Afghan government, stating it negatively impacted their morale.
McCaul accused Khalilzad of negotiating with the Taliban while sidelining the Afghan government. He also linked the withdrawal from Afghanistan to global consequences, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the formation of a “sinister alliance” between Putin and Xi Jinping.
The congressman refuted claims of political motivation behind his investigation into the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, vowing to pursue the matter even after the upcoming presidential elections. McCaul highlighted differences between Trump’s conditional withdrawal plan and Biden’s unconditional exit.
In response, Khalilzad defended the Doha Agreement, calling McCaul’s statements “false accusations.” He emphasized that US military leadership was fully informed and involved in the negotiations, with General Scott Miller and his representatives participating in the Doha talks.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee is set to release its report on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on Monday, September 10, 2024. The report is expected to suggest that the withdrawal should have prioritized US political interests.
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