In a recent interview with CBS News on September 10th, Retired Marine Corps General Frank McKenzie, who served as the head of the US Central Command from 2019 to 2022, expressed his doubts about the trustworthiness of the Afghan Taliban. He stated that he believed the Taliban would primarily act in their own interests and could not be relied upon.
During the interview, General McKenzie made a significant statement regarding the Taliban’s relationship with al-Qaeda, saying, “They actually have a long-term familial and customary relationship with al-Qaeda … I think that relationship is far stronger than any potential relationship they choose with the United States.” This assertion underscores concerns about the Taliban’s ties to terrorist organizations.
The interview took place just a day before the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which marked the beginning of the US-led “War on Terror.” General McKenzie emphasized that one of the key reasons for the US presence in Afghanistan was to prevent the use of the country as a base for planning and launching attacks on the US and its allies.
However, with the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, General McKenzie expressed his concerns about the challenges in pursuing these objectives. He stated, “As a result of our withdrawal from Afghanistan, it is now far more difficult for us to pursue those objectives.”
General McKenzie’s position on the withdrawal from Afghanistan has been consistent. He had advised keeping 25,000 US troops in the country to maintain a US presence in the region. President Biden, however, chose not to follow this advice and proceeded with the withdrawal.
Regarding the tragic attack on Kabul airport on August 26, 2021, which resulted in the deaths of 13 US soldiers and over 150 Afghan civilians during the evacuation process, General McKenzie revealed that there were multiple threats leading up to the incident. These threats included the possibility of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) attack, a suicide vest attack, indirect fire rockets or mortars targeting the airport, and the potential for insider attacks.
Although General McKenzie admitted that the attack was a “tragic mistake,” the Pentagon announced in December 2021 that no military personnel would face punishment for the incident. The attack at Kabul airport served as a somber reminder of the complex and dangerous environment surrounding the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
General McKenzie’s comments shed light on ongoing concerns about the situation in Afghanistan and the challenges faced by the United States in the post-withdrawal era.
