Palm Coast Times

On Thursday, Congressman Mike Waltz questioned former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad regarding the failure of the Biden Administration to uphold the Doha Agreement during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.

During the hearing, Waltz highlighted the importance of acknowledging the sacrifices made by veterans and Gold Star families in keeping America safe for over two decades. He emphasized the significance of preventing another 9/11 attack and the need to learn from the mistakes of the war in Afghanistan.

Waltz then addressed the argument made by President Biden and his administration that they were bound by the Doha Agreement and had no choice but to withdraw from Afghanistan. He pointed out the numerous policy reversals that the Biden Administration made on day one, including the construction of the border wall, membership in the World Health Organization, and the maximum pressure campaign against Iran. Waltz questioned how the administration could reverse these policies but claim to be handcuffed to the Doha Agreement.

He then turned to Ambassador Khalilzad and asked about the actions taken by President Trump when he was informed that the Taliban had not fulfilled the conditions of the Doha Agreement. Waltz highlighted that, even in January 2021, the United States still had Bagram Air Base, 2,500 U.S. special operators and intelligence professionals, 5,000 to 7,000 NATO troops, and over 10,000 contractors supporting the Afghan Air Force. He stressed the importance of these assets in maintaining stability and sending a message of support to the Afghan people and government.

Waltz proceeded to question Ambassador Khalilzad about President Biden's rejection of advice for conditionality moving forward on the Doha Agreement. He highlighted that President Biden made the decision to withdraw unconditionally, without considering any middle ground options that would have allowed for continued support to Afghanistan without putting American troops in harm's way.

The congressman expressed concern about the current situation in Afghanistan, with senior al-Qaeda leaders being guests of the Taliban, the existence of al-Qaeda training camps, and the influx of foreign fighters into the country. He also mentioned the ongoing threat of ISIS. Waltz asked Ambassador Khalilzad if the American homeland is safer today than it was three years ago. The ambassador confirmed that both al-Qaeda and ISIS still have the intent to attack the United States and the West given the opportunity.

Waltz concluded by stating that relying on terrorist groups like the Taliban and al-Qaeda to eliminate other terrorists is a dangerous approach. He emphasized the need for a more comprehensive strategy that does not put American national security at risk.

In the hearing, Congressman Waltz raised important questions about the Biden Administration's handling of the Doha Agreement and its impact on the security situation in Afghanistan. The exchange shed light on the concerns surrounding the withdrawal and emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to counterterrorism that does not compromise American national security.