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Situation in Afghanistan Hinges on Afghan Civilian, Military Leaders

Aug. 9, 2021 | By Jim Garamone, DOD News
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The situation in Afghanistan hinges on Afghan civilian and military leadership, the Pentagon press secretary said today during a news conference.

Taliban forces have taken at least five provincial capitals in the country and others are threatened. Press Secretary John F. Kirby said the fighting in the country "is clearly not going in the right direction."

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He said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III shares the concerns of other nations about the situation. Still, he believes "that the Afghan forces have the capability, they have the capacity to make a big difference on the battlefield," Kirby said. "He has maintained that we will continue to support them with the authorities we have, where and when feasible — understanding that it's not always going to be feasible." 

This support includes airstrikes and over-the-horizon counterterrorism support. 

While most U.S. forces have withdrawn from Afghanistan, the Defense Department has been centered on carrying out President Joe Biden's order to complete the retrograde from that country by the end of the month. The United States will then switch to a bilateral relationship with the Afghan government, Kirby said.

The United States has authorities needed to continue air support to the Afghan government through the end of the month, Kirby said. 

A man,standing at a lectern, speaks to a group of socially distanced reporters. The sign behind him indicates that they are at the Pentagon.
A man,standing at a lectern, speaks to a group of socially distanced reporters. The sign behind him indicates that they are at the Pentagon.
Press Briefing
Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby holds a press briefing, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Aug. 9, 2021.
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Photo By: Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders, DOD
VIRIN: 210809-D-XI929-1003

"Whatever the outcome here, when we look back, … we're going to be able to say that it was driven by leadership — Afghan leadership, political and military leadership," he said. "That's what's vital here."

The Afghan government has a force of over 300,000 soldiers and police, Kirby said. The Afghan military has an air force, which the United States continues to support and improve. The government forces have modern weaponry and an organizational structure. 

"[The government has] a lot of advantages that the Taliban don't have," Kirby said. "The Taliban doesn't have an Air Force, they don't own airspace. [The government forces] have a lot of advantages. Now they have to use those advantages, to exert that leadership. And it's got to come both from the political and from the military."

Transcript: Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby Holds a Press Briefing
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