Joe Biden says he stands 'squarely behind' Afghanistan decision

The US President said he'd rather take the criticism over the fallout in Afghanistan than pass the decision to a fifth President

Striking a defiant tone, President Joe Biden said Monday that he stands “squarely behind” his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan and that the Afghan government's collapse was quicker than anticipated. Mr Biden said he was faced with a choice between sticking to a previously negotiated agreement to withdraw U.S. troops this year or sending thousands more service members back into Afghanistan for a “third decade” of war. Mr Biden said he will not repeat mistakes of the past and did not regret his decision to proceed with the withdrawal.