this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 8pm — the end of america's longest war as the last soldiers leaves afghanistan, but an uncertain future lies ahead for the afghan people. american uniforms, american weapons, but now worn by the taliban as they claim victory and independence. now it has ended in the worst of ways, and it will live long in memory, here in afghanistan, in america and far beyond. who gets a blood test and who doesn't? the tough choices facing gps as they deal with a shortage of test tubes. geronimo the alpaca is put down after testing positive for bovine tb, a case that pitches

activists against farmers. and it's the same old story — dame sarah wins yet another gold at the tokyo paralympics. and coming up in 20 minutes, we'll look into the background and coming up, the "medical miracle" that fooled america. we'll look into the background behind the elizabeth holmes�* fraud trial, the woman once touted as the youngest self—made female billionaire. good evening, and welcome to bbc news. it was just one flight out of kabul, but it brought to an end

as america pulled out, it left behind an uncertain future for the afghan people and huge questions for the international coalition about what had been achieved. the taliban claim they have won their independence. but they, too, have questions. can they make the transition from brutal insurgents to responsible government? our first report this evening is from our chief international correspondent lyse doucet and her cameraman robbie wright in kabul. american uniforms, american guns, but these are taliban special forces. badri unit 313. they're in charge at kabul airport. translation: our message - to the americans is they should not have any plans to attack muslims again. our message to all afghans is we are going to protect them. the last us flight took off yesterday, just before midnight.

the last moments of america's military mission here. the skies exploded with taliban celebration once it was clear the last us soldier, major general chris donahue, was on his way home. this is what they left behind. hangars full of helicopters, even blackhawks, all disabled, destroyed, so the taliban can't use them. the best of american military hardware, the best of its generals, were part of its longest war. and now it has ended in the worst of ways, and it will live long in memory, here in afghanistan, in america and far beyond. today, an airfield flooded by taliban. their urgent task — repairing the runways so commercial airlines can fly again.

translation: as you can see, these infidels destroyed - the entire airport. they haven't left any machinery in good repair. we had a team ready to fix this mess ever since we came to kabul. now that the americans have left, we are ready to clean it up. all flights have stopped, but afghans still keep trying to get in, to find a way out of this country. taliban guards turn them away. when we drive through the streets of kabul, the city seems much the same, until we get to the banks. to the queues stretching all the way down the street. most banks are shut, most don't have any money. some people have stood here for days wondering if they can withstand this for long. i should build a future, i should study. - so, definitely if the situations

are like that, you should stay| for one weekjust to take 10,000 afghanim — $100 from the bank, so it's not possible to live here. _ a country turned upside down and inside out. an old order suddenly ripped away, a new one suddenly started, in chaos and uncertainty. lyse doucet, bbc news, kabul. dozens of countries, including britain, may have had forces in afghanistan, but there is no question that it was a mission conceived in the us and led by the us. the numbers alone tell the story. america is thought to have spent more than $2 trillion over the last 20 years. and then there was the cost in lives. more than 21100 us military personnel died in the line of duty. but that's dwarfed by more than 116,000 afghan civilians, police and military forces killed in the conflict. our washington correspondent

aleem maqbool has more. these already iconic images of a commanding officer of the evacuation mission, major general chris donahue, caught in night vision — the last soldier out of afghanistan. more disconcerting for americans are the images just hours later of taliban forces in us military fatigues inspecting the same airfield. and it wasn'tjust equipment the us military left behind, but american citizens and vulnerable afghans. but the us insists the work to get them out continues. a new chapter of america's engagement with afghanistan has begun. it's one in which we will lead with our diplomacy. the military mission is over. a new diplomatic mission has begun. it was an incredible logistical effort to evacuate more than 123,000 civilians over the past month,

but of course it came at a cost. scores of civilian deaths and 13 more us military lives lost, adding to the more than 2300 americans already killed in afghanistan and heaping more pressure on president biden. for a country renowned for honouring its servicemen and women, what looks to many inescapably like a defeat has been a huge blow, and military veterans have been especially vocal about their dismay. i think it was a waste of... a waste of time over there, because it wasn't run properly, i don't think. $2 trillion spent over there, and nothing has changed, it seems like. the taliban is back in, and they were just waiting for us to leave. i love this country. it'll be... it'll come back, but it's not in a good place right- now, that's for sure.

and there has been much discussion here about what this humbling, chaotic end to its longest war means for america's standing in the world. aleem maqbool, bbc news, in washington. well, we can speak now to michael mckinley, who was the united states' ambassador to afghanistan under president obama between 2015 and 2016. he joins us now from washington. thank you for speaking us here on bbc news. what did you make of the us pull—out? was a humiliation? maw; us pull-out? was a humiliation? many words are going _ us pull-out? was a humiliation? many words are going to _ us pull-out? was a humiliation? many words are going to be _ us pull—out? was a humiliation? ifia�*iy words are going to be used to describe what happened. for me at a personal level, having served there for over three years, it's a sad, tragic moment. it's deeply disappointing. the outcome is not anything anybody associated with afghanistan over the last 20 years we would've liked to see. but i

would like to underscore that at this very difficult moment, we need to remember why we went into afghanistan and what we achieved across 20 years. in the primary rationale for intervention was responding to the attack of 9/11, to make sure that afghanistan would not be used again as a terrorist haven that could threaten the united states directly. and in curing at the mission of these 20 years, that objective has been achieved. what has been much less successful has been the nation—building exercise which essentially was undertaken from the start. in 2002, when president bush spoke about building a democratic afghanistan and a transformation of the country. much like a language that was used for iraq at a later stage and clearly at that scale, we failed. we failed as a united states, the afghan

government felt as people, the international community as a whole did not achieve its objectives. but to remind come of the key objective and rationale for intervention was addressing terrorism, the presence of al-qaeda the catcher and killing of al-qaeda the catcher and killing of osama bin laden and many of those objectives were achieved. in the lives lost of the 415 britons, the 2400 lives lost of the 415 britons, the 21100 americans, the tens of thousands of afghan soldiers and afghan civilians in that struggle were not in vain. it’s afghan civilians in that struggle were not in vain.— afghan civilians in that struggle were not in vain. it's very easy i summed _ were not in vain. it's very easy i summed to _ were not in vain. it's very easy i summed to say _ were not in vain. it's very easy i supposed to say this _ were not in vain. it's very easy i supposed to say this has - were not in vain. it's very easy i supposed to say this has not. were not in vain. it's very easy i i supposed to say this has not been done properly and look at what has been left behind. what would have been left behind. what would have been the alternative? stay another 12 months, 18 months, anotherfive years? 12 months, 18 months, another five ears? �* , , ., 12 months, 18 months, another five ears? , , ., , ., years? any number of people agreed with the decision _ years? any number of people agreed with the decision to _ years? any number of people agreed with the decision to withdraw, - years? any number of people agreed with the decision to withdraw, and i with the decision to withdraw, and is able to remember that three

administrations have had is their objective drawing down the american troop presence in afghanistan to minimal levels. that was true president obama, that was true a president obama, that was true a president trump and it is certainly true of president biden, who carried forward with the goal. the debate was over how to do it in the most effective fashion possible, and i think at the time there was debate over whether the withdrawal timetable was to accelerated and should have been longer. again, the original timetable negotiated by president trump was for withdrawal on may one, and early when president biden announced his decision on withdrawal, former president trump and others basically said salute the decision but they said it should come sooner on may one and given what we have seen up to now, it may well have been a worse outcome. but extending the timetable certainly is

a recommendation that was made by a number of people going forward towards the end of the year and early in the next year and allowing for the time for an orderly handover of military installations, an orderly transition on helping afghans and others who wanted to leave the country and who had worked with coalition forces in the united states, more time would've been available for that. and in retrospect, it's easy to point to that as something that could have been done differently, but i would underscore one last point, the intelligence and intelligence is not a science, people looking at the facts on the ground, as late as march, april, it was pointing to estimates of the government would hold out for two or three years after coalition forces and the us forces departed. even as a situation on the ground deteriorated, we saw

estimates suggesting the government would hold for six months to 18 months after the departure of coalition forces. in other words, developments on the ground and internal dynamics that were not focused on came into play and gave us a very different outcome, but the operating picture of policy makers and our military clearly was the assumption that the situation on the ground would hold better than it did. and i think part of the impetus going forward is to understand why the situation was misread the way it was. i the situation was misread the way it was. . , , the situation was misread the way it was. ., , , ., the situation was misread the way it was. . , , ., ., the situation was misread the way it was. ., , ., ., .., was. i was 'ust going to come to that. he was. i wasjust going to come to that. he said _ was. i wasjust going to come to that. he said two _ was. i wasjust going to come to that. he said two or— was. i wasjust going to come to that. he said two or three - was. i wasjust going to come to that. he said two or three years| was. i wasjust going to come to l that. he said two or three years at least the government would hold. too late they got that wrong. it does not bode well for the future, does it? at that point, they had intelligence on the ground. we assumed out there will be less intelligence. i assumed out there will be less intelligence.— intelligence. i will repeat. intelligence _ intelligence. i will repeat. intelligence is _ intelligence. i will repeat. intelligence is not - intelligence. i will repeat. intelligence is not a - intelligence. i will repeat. i intelligence is not a science intelligence. i will repeat. - intelligence is not a science and if we take a look at the history of intelligence failures over the last

20-30 intelligence failures over the last 20—30 years, point and 11, we can point to nuclear and chemical weapons in iraq, we can point to the failure to spot the decline of the soviet union in the 1980s to just mention a few. i would suggest that what happened was something deeper. and it was reflecting how the united states and others approached afghanistan over these many years. there was the assumption that a national government and an institution were being strengthened. there was an assumption that there was broader by into the transformations that were taking place. there was an assumption that the military and security forces which numbered up to 330,000 were becoming more functional every year. and there was also frankly a misreading of the tele— band for a

long period in which certainly is a terrorist group and as insurgency they received a lot of attention but perhaps a lot less on what it was doing politically and the level of support it did have in certain parts of the country. so as we look back, i don't think you can take the assumptions that were made three or four months ago and put the blame on misreading then. because the eroding stalemate, the changes on the ground taking place were occurring across very many years, and some of these conclusions perhaps should have been drawn earlier. if conclusions perhaps should have been drawn earlier-— drawn earlier. if you've 'ust said there, drawn earlier. if you've 'ust said there. than t drawn earlier. if you've 'ust said there, that's a h drawn earlier. if you've 'ust said there, that's a lot _ drawn earlier. if you've 'ust said there, that's a lot of _ drawn earlier. if you've just said i there, that's a lot of assumptions. you could argue that people were not listening. maybe they misunderstood the taliban. to fully understand the macro to moving forward, this is going to be imperative because the question is how is the last going to live with the taliban in government.

from a distance as well. i live with the taliban in government. from a distance as well.— from a distance as well. i would su: est from a distance as well. i would suggest that _ from a distance as well. i would suggest that is _ from a distance as well. i would suggest that is a _ from a distance as well. i would suggest that is a very _ from a distance as well. i would suggest that is a very central. suggest that is a very central question because within weeks we are going to be dealing with humanitarian response issues related to perhaps hundreds of thousands of afghans seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. the un high commissioner hasjust neighbouring countries. the un high commissioner has just underscore that i believe in an interview with bbc today. we are going to see probably a collapse of the formal economy because with the freezing of government assets and of international assistance, cities which sprung up and began to offer basic services whether in education, whether in the medical services, whether in the medical services, whether through courts provided employment for hundreds of thousands of civil servants, in places like kandahar, and the capital itself, six me and people came of the money

is not going to be there to deal with it. and so the taliban itself is going to have to make certain calculations and assumptions about how it deals with the outside world. the outside world is making it extremely clear that there are some red lines or some conditionality which will need to be addressed to include the issue of whether terrorist groups again find a safe haven inside the country, the taliban is not being as clear on that as it should be. the extent to which the very basic human rights like the rights of girls and women are respected to a much greater extent than we saw in the 90s. and we are also going to see the degree of whether retaliations take place. there is a lot of questions but you have seen statements coming out of g7 meetings with regional countries just yesterday at the four ministerial level, you have seen statements come out of the united

nations, out of european coalition partners, out of the i states bilaterally. we have sinned them out of russia and china. in the conditionality these are remarkably uniform. a focus on concern about terrorism, a focus on unhappiness and it looks outward and engages with the international community. that said, the leadership of the taliban, which has yet to be formalised in terms of either a council or had a government, does include hardliners like the mantle of the negotiations but was a very central to the military efforts up to 2010 or 11 when he was arrested in pakistan. the sun of that man and it was at least in title in charge of military operations over the last year plus. you have a senior leader

of the terrorist group networking afghanistan and worked on killing many coalition forces, american forces and carrying out terrorist acts inside afghanistan and tied to al-qaeda in the past and perhaps the present, we don't know. these are questions which are going to need to be answered. that questions which are going to need to be answered-— be answered. that was meant to be my next question — be answered. that was meant to be my next question but _ be answered. that was meant to be my next question but i _ be answered. that was meant to be my next question but i think _ be answered. that was meant to be my next question but i think you _ be answered. that was meant to be my next question but i think you have - next question but i think you have drawn that night or to a conclusion because obviously we have seen the return of osama bin laden's from a close associate or reports he has returned to afghanistan but like you said there are lots of questions about the relationship with the taliban. thank you very much indeed, ambassador michael mckinley. thank ou so ambassador michael mckinley. thank you so much — ambassador michael mckinley. thank you so much and _ ambassador michael mckinley. thank you so much and good _ ambassador michael mckinley. t�*isg�*iaz you so much and good evening. and we'll find out how this story and many others are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30pm and 11:30pm this evening in the papers. our guestsjoining me tonight arejo tanner, political strategist, and joe mayes from bloomberg.

the headlines on bbc news — the taliban declares victory after the final american soldier leaves afghanistan. the tough choices facing gps over who gets a blood test and who doesn't amid a shortage of test tubes. geronimo the alpaca has been put down by government vets over fears of bovine tuberculosis. his owner calls the action "barbaric". sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's mimi. good evening, and welome to the programme. time is running out,on this summer's transfer window and the deals are coming through with the 11 o'clock deadline approaching. the biggest deal of the day and arguably the entire summer, cristiano ronaldo's move to manchester united, was confirmed earlier today

in a deal worth nearly £13 million. the portuguese striker will be heading back to united from juventus. he's signed a two—year contract with the option to extend for a further year, and he says he's doing it for sir alex ferguson. elsewhere, tottenham have signed the barcelona full—back emerson royal on a five—year deal. the brazilian has spent the past two seasons on loan at real betis. the fee is worth just over £25 million. here are all the transfers concerning premier league clubs that have happened today. as well as cristiano ronaldo and emerson royal's moves, danieljames hasjoined leeds united for a fee believed to be £25 million two years after he almost joined the club on loan. plenty more happening, and you can find more on the bbc sport website. in the women's champions league, arsenal and manchester city are in action tonight hoping to get off to a good start in the first legs of their qualifiers. the winners of their respective ties

will reach the group stages. arsenal are at home to slavia prague and lead 1—0. nikita parris with the only goal of the game. nikita parris with the first goal of the game. kim little has doubled the league with a penalty. manchester city play real madrid and it is currently goalless. it's been a superb day for gb injapan. dame sarah storey the headliner — she's won her 16th paralympic gold medal, making her britain'sjoint most successful paralympian of all time. she hit the milestone after winning the c5 time trial in tokyo overnight. patrick gearey has the details. the time trial is dame sarah storey�*s favourite event, and why wouldn't it be? just her against the clock, perfect for a woman who's constantly defying time. storey�*s 43, but continues to be

judged by seconds and minutes. fellow brit crystal lane—wright was closer to her, but storey says her motivation was to outdo herself. she makes history seem predictable. and she crosses the line! her 16th gold medal takes her level with mike kenney. she's already britain's most successful paralympian overall. a chance for other british riders to follow her marks. ben watson rode bikes as a hobby. his talent was spotted. now we saw the end result. gold in the c3 time trial on a glorious day for british pa ra—cycling. win the road race and she'll have won more goals than any british paralympian. it feels as inevitable as the ticking of the clock. patrick gearey, bbc news. in the pool, britain's reece dunn has won his third gold medal of the games, complete with a new world record. dunn's haulfrom the games now stands at three golds and a silver after he left the other trailing in the final of the 200—metre individual medley.

emma raducanu has eased into the next round at the us open was of the 18—year—old was a break down in each that but 1672, 6-3 18—year—old was a break down in each that but 1672, 6—3 against her experienced opponent and this is her first appearance at the tournament, having oppressed at will and earlier in the summer. that's all the sport for now. we'll have more for you on the bbc news channel later on. the trial of the person once touted as the world's youngest self—made female billionaire has got under way in the united states today. elizabeth holmes is facing up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of 12 fraud charges relating to her now defunct blood testing company. her company was called theranos and claimed that with just a finger prick test, its edison test could quickly detect

conditions such as cancer and diabetes without the need for a needle. she attracted investment from high—profile names from the world of business and american politics. rupert murdoch alone invested £120 million. in 2014, when ms holmes was 30, the company was valued at $9 billion. however, soon after that, questions were raised over the technology behind the tests, she was exposed as fake and her company collapsed. her ex—boyfriend and former business partner ramesh balwani faces the same fraud charges and is being accused by ms holmes of impairing her mental state through sexual abuse and emotional control, claims which he denies. joining me now is rebecca jarvis,

host of the dropout podcast that follows the story of elizabeth holmes and theranos, and she is abc news' chief business, technology and economics correspondent. great to have you with us here a bbc news, rebecca. first off, who exactly is elizabeth holmes? what do you know about her? 19 years old she started this. 19 you know about her? 19 years old she started this-— started this. 19 years old she dro ed started this. 19 years old she dropped out _ started this. 19 years old she dropped out of _ started this. 19 years old she dropped out of stanford. - started this. 19 years old she j dropped out of stanford. and started this. 19 years old she - dropped out of stanford. and who is elizabeth holmes, i think that if the question. she is this enigma. if you are the woman who told people on stages across the world, who sat across from presidents like bill clinton at the time and former vice president, who was vice president at the time, joe biden, and touted her technology or is she the woman who we have also seen in depositions under oath with the securities and exchange commission here in the us who professes not to know, not to understand why things went awry

inside of her company? admitting to mistakes. this is the question and this is the question that we hopefully will have answers to in the very near future as her criminal trial finally gets under way three years after she was formally charged by the department ofjustice with those 12 counts of fraud. hour those 12 counts of fraud. how closely is _ those 12 counts of fraud. how closely is the _ those 12 counts of fraud. how closely is the story _ those 12 counts of fraud. how closely is the story being - those 12 counts of fraud. how closely is the story being followed by americans? the reason i'm asking this if she has gotten to high—profile. being lauded as the world's youngest billionaire come up cause problems in termsjury selection? it cause problems in terms 'ury selectionafi selection? it is. that is very interesting _ selection? it is. that is very interesting point _ selection? it is. that is very interesting point you - selection? it is. that is very| interesting point you raised. selection? it is. that is very - interesting point you raised. they got to a process already, a questionnaire that hundreds of jurors have had to fill out, and now they are about 200 jurors who were going to thejury they are about 200 jurors who were going to the jury selection process over the course of this next week. she has been highly publicised here, and i think one of the thing to in mind is the stakes in this trial, first of all, you have the human states, the fact that her technology made it into us markets like walgreens which is very similar to

boots. imagine walking into boots and getting an inaccurate blood test. people in the us did that at walgreens and got misinformation about hiv and some people thought they were hiv—positive. bad and if he tests that the women they were pregnant when they were not. a woman who had dealt with fertility issues thought she had miscarried because of the inaccurate results of a theranos test. i of the inaccurate results of a theranos test.— of the inaccurate results of a theranos test. i have to “ump in because theranos test. i have to jump in because president biden - theranos test. i have to jump in because president biden is - theranos test. i have to jump in l because president biden is about to address the nation. thank you. the other states _ address the nation. thank you. the other states ended 20 years of war in afghanistan, the longest war in american history. we completed one of the _ american history. we completed one of the biggest air less in history with more — of the biggest air less in history with more than 120,000 people evacuated to safety. that number is more _ evacuated to safety. that number is more than _ evacuated to safety. that number is more than double what most experts thought— more than double what most experts thought were possible. no nation, no nation _ thought were possible. no nation, no nation has _ thought were possible. no nation, no nation has ever done anything like it in all— nation has ever done anything like it in all of— nation has ever done anything like it in all of history. the only the united — it in all of history. the only the united states had the capacity and the will— united states had the capacity and the will and ability to do it and we

did it _ the will and ability to do it and we did it today. the extraordinary success— did it today. the extraordinary success of— did it today. the extraordinary success of this mission was due to the incredible skill, bravery and selfless — the incredible skill, bravery and selfless courage of the united states — selfless courage of the united states military and i mats and intelligence professionals. for weeks. — intelligence professionals. for weeks, they risked their lives to -et weeks, they risked their lives to get american citizens, afghans who helped _ get american citizens, afghans who helped us, — get american citizens, afghans who helped us, citizens of our allies and partners and others on board planes _ and partners and others on board planes and — and partners and others on board planes and out of the country. and they did _ planes and out of the country. and they did it— planes and out of the country. and they did it facing a crush of enormous crowds seeking to leave the country _ enormous crowds seeking to leave the country and _ enormous crowds seeking to leave the country. and they did it knowing isis-k _ country. and they did it knowing isis—k terrorists, sworn enemies of the taliban, — isis—k terrorists, sworn enemies of the taliban, were looking in the midst— the taliban, were looking in the midst of— the taliban, were looking in the midst of those crowds still many women — midst of those crowds still many women of— midst of those crowds still many women of the us military, automatic core and _ women of the us military, automatic core and intelligence professionals did their— core and intelligence professionals did theirjob and that it well. risking — did theirjob and that it well. risking their lives not professional gains, _ risking their lives not professional gains, but — risking their lives not professional gains, but to serve others. not an admission— gains, but to serve others. not an admission of war, but in a mission

of mercy — admission of war, but in a mission of mercy 28— admission of war, but in a mission of mercy. 28 service members were wounded _ of mercy. 28 service members were wounded in— of mercy. 28 service members were wounded in the service of this mission, _ wounded in the service of this mission, 13 heroes gave their lives. i mission, 13 heroes gave their lives. i was _ mission, 13 heroes gave their lives. iwasjust_ mission, 13 heroes gave their lives. iwasjust at— mission, 13 heroes gave their lives. i was just at dover mission, 13 heroes gave their lives. i wasjust at dover air mission, 13 heroes gave their lives. i was just at dover air force mission, 13 heroes gave their lives. i wasjust at dover air force base for the _ i wasjust at dover air force base for the dignified transfer. we owe them _ for the dignified transfer. we owe them and — for the dignified transfer. we owe them and their families a debt of gratitude — them and their families a debt of gratitude we can never repay. but we should _ gratitude we can never repay. but we should never, ever, everforget. in april. _ should never, ever, everforget. in april. i_ should never, ever, everforget. in april. i made— should never, ever, everforget. in april, i made a decision to end this war~ _ april, i made a decision to end this war~ as _ april, i made a decision to end this war~ as part— april, i made a decision to end this war. as part of that decision, wait set the _ war. as part of that decision, wait set the date of august 31 for american troops to withdraw. the assumption was that more than 300,000 — assumption was that more than 300,000 afghan national security forces _ 300,000 afghan national security forces that we had trained over the past two _ forces that we had trained over the past two decades and equipped would be a strong adversary in the civil war with — be a strong adversary in the civil war with the taliban. that assumption that the acting government will be able to hold on for a period of time beyond the military— for a period of time beyond the military drawdown turned out not to be accurate. but i still instructed

our national security team to prepare _ our national security team to prepare for every eventuality. even that one _ prepare for every eventuality. even that one. and that's what we did. so we were _ that one. and that's what we did. so we were ready when the afghan security— we were ready when the afghan security forces after two decades of fighting _ security forces after two decades of fighting for their country and losing — fighting for their country and losing thousands of their own did not hold — losing thousands of their own did not hold on as long as anyone expected _ not hold on as long as anyone expected. we were ready when they and the _ expected. we were ready when they and the people afghanistan watch to their own _ and the people afghanistan watch to their own government collapsed and their own government collapsed and their president flee amid the corruption and malfeasance, handing over the _ corruption and malfeasance, handing over the country to their enemy, the taliban _ over the country to their enemy, the taliban as — over the country to their enemy, the taliban as a — over the country to their enemy, the taliban. as a thickly increasing the risk to— taliban. as a thickly increasing the risk to us — taliban. as a thickly increasing the risk to us personnel and our allies. asa as a result, to safely extract american _ as a result, to safely extract american citizens before august 31, as well— american citizens before august 31, as well as _ american citizens before august 31, as well as nbc personnel, allies and partners _ as well as nbc personnel, allies and partners can and those afghans who had worked with us and fought alongside of us for 20 years, i had

authorised 6000 troops, american troops _ authorised 6000 troops, american troops to— authorised 6000 troops, american troops to kabul to help secure the airport _ troops to kabul to help secure the airport as — troops to kabul to help secure the airport. as general mckenzie said, this is— airport. as general mckenzie said, this is the — airport. as general mckenzie said, this is the way the mission was designed _ this is the way the mission was designed. it was designed to operate under— designed. it was designed to operate under severe stress and attack, and that's— under severe stress and attack, and that's what— under severe stress and attack, and that's what it did. since march, we've _ that's what it did. since march, we've reached out 19 times to americans in afghanistan with multiple — americans in afghanistan with multiple warnings and offers to help them leave afghanistan, as far back as march _ them leave afghanistan, as far back as march. after we started the evacuation 17 days ago, we did initial— evacuation 17 days ago, we did initial outreach and analysis and identified — initial outreach and analysis and identified around 5000 americans who had decided earlier to stay in afghanistan but now wanted to leave. our operation allied rescue ended up getting _ our operation allied rescue ended up getting more than 5500 americans

out, we _ getting more than 5500 americans out, we got out of thousands of citizens — out, we got out of thousands of citizens and diplomats and those countries — citizens and diplomats and those countries that went into afghanistan with us— countries that went into afghanistan with us to _ countries that went into afghanistan with us to get bin laden. we got our locally— with us to get bin laden. we got our locally employed staff at the united states _ locally employed staff at the united states embassy and their families totalling _ states embassy and their families totalling in roughly 2000 people. we've _ totalling in roughly 2000 people. we've got thousands of afghan translators and interpreters and others — translators and interpreters and others who supported the united states— others who supported the united states as — others who supported the united states as well. now we believe in about _ states as well. now we believe in about 100—200 americans in afghanistan with some intention to leave _ afghanistan with some intention to leave. most of those remaining are dual citizens, long—time residents who had _ dual citizens, long—time residents who had earlier decided to stay because — who had earlier decided to stay because of their family roots in afghanistan. the bottom line, 90% of americans— afghanistan. the bottom line, 90% of americans in afghanistan who wanted to leave _ americans in afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave. and for those _ to leave were able to leave. and for those remaining americans, there is

no deadline — those remaining americans, there is no deadline. we remain committed to -et no deadline. we remain committed to get them _ no deadline. we remain committed to get them out if they want to come out. secretary of state lincoln is leading — out. secretary of state lincoln is leading the continuing diplomatic efforts— leading the continuing diplomatic efforts to ensure safe passage for any american, afghan partner or foreign _ any american, afghan partner or foreign national who wants to leave afghanistan. in fact, just yesterday, the united nations security— yesterday, the united nations security council passed a resolution that sent _ security council passed a resolution that sent a — security council passed a resolution that sent a clear message about the international community expects the taliban— international community expects the taliban to _ international community expects the taliban to deliver on moving forward _ taliban to deliver on moving forward, notably freedom of travel, freedom _ forward, notably freedom of travel, freedom to — forward, notably freedom of travel, freedom to leave. they are joined by over 100 _ freedom to leave. they are joined by over 100 countries to make sure the child and _ over 100 countries to make sure the child and oppose those commitments. and the _ child and oppose those commitments. and the commitments from afghanistan to reopen _ and the commitments from afghanistan to reopen the airport and overland routes _ to reopen the airport and overland

routes allowing for further continued to project those who want to leave _ continued to project those who want to leave and deliver humanitarian assistance — to leave and deliver humanitarian assistance to people of afghanistan. the taliban has made commitments, broadcast _ the taliban has made commitments, broadcast on television and radio across— broadcast on television and radio across afghanistan. safe passage for anyone _ across afghanistan. safe passage for anyone wanting to leave, including those _ anyone wanting to leave, including those who — anyone wanting to leave, including those who worked alongside americans. we don't take them by their— americans. we don't take them by their word — americans. we don't take them by their word alone, but by their actions — their word alone, but by their actions. and we have leverage to make _ actions. and we have leverage to make sure — actions. and we have leverage to make sure those commitments are met. let make sure those commitments are met. let me _ make sure those commitments are met. let me be _ make sure those commitments are met. let me be clear, leaving august the sist let me be clear, leaving august the 31st is _ let me be clear, leaving august the 31st is not _ let me be clear, leaving august the 31st is not due to an arbitrary deadline. _ 31st is not due to an arbitrary deadline, it was designed to save american — deadline, it was designed to save american lives. my predecessor, the former— american lives. my predecessor, the former president, signed an agreement with the taliban to remove us troops— agreement with the taliban to remove us troops by may the 1st, just months — us troops by may the 1st, just months after i was inaugurated. it included _ months after i was inaugurated. it included no requirement that the taliban— included no requirement that the taliban and work out a cooperative governor _ taliban and work out a cooperative

governor arrangement with the afghan government. but it did authorise the release _ government. but it did authorise the release of— government. but it did authorise the release of 5000 prisoners last year, including _ release of 5000 prisoners last year, including some of the taliban and's top war— including some of the taliban and's top war commanders, among those that 'ust top war commanders, among those that just took— top war commanders, among those that just took control of afghanistan. by the time _ just took control of afghanistan. by the time i_ just took control of afghanistan. by the time i came to office, that taliban— the time i came to office, that taliban was in its strongest military— taliban was in its strongest military position since 2001. controlling or contesting nearly half of — controlling or contesting nearly half of the country. the previous administration's agreement said, if we step— administration's agreement said, if we step to — administration's agreement said, if we step to the may one deadline that they had _ we step to the may one deadline that they had signed on to leave by, that taliban— they had signed on to leave by, that taliban wouldn't attack any american forces, _ taliban wouldn't attack any american forces, but _ taliban wouldn't attack any american forces, but if we stayed, all bets were _ forces, but if we stayed, all bets were off — forces, but if we stayed, all bets were off. so we were left with a simple — were off. so we were left with a simple decision, either follow their bad equipment made by the last administration and leave afghanistan or say— administration and leave afghanistan or say we _ administration and leave afghanistan or say we weren't sleeping and, it another— or say we weren't sleeping and, it another tens of thousands more

troops _ another tens of thousands more troops going back to war. that was the choice. — troops going back to war. that was the choice, the real choice. —— say we weren't— the choice, the real choice. —— say we weren't leaving. the choice is between — we weren't leaving. the choice is between leaving or escalating. i was not going _ between leaving or escalating. i was not going to extend this forever were, _ not going to extend this forever were and — not going to extend this forever were, and i was not going to extend a forever— were, and i was not going to extend a forever exit. that decision to end the military— a forever exit. that decision to end the military operation at kabul airport— the military operation at kabul airport was based on a unanimous recommendation of my civilian and military— recommendation of my civilian and military advisers. the secretary of state _ military advisers. the secretary of state come the secretary of defence, the chairman of the joint chief of staff— the chairman of the joint chief of staff and — the chairman of the joint chief of staff and all of the service chiefs and the — staff and all of the service chiefs and the commanders in the field. their recommendation was that the safest way to secure the passage of remaining americans and others out of the _ remaining americans and others out of the country was not to continue a 6000 _ of the country was not to continue a 6000 troop— of the country was not to continue a 6000 troop operation on the ground in harm's— 6000 troop operation on the ground in harm's way and kabul, rather to -et in harm's way and kabul, rather to get them — in harm's way and kabul, rather to get them out through nonmilitary

means _ get them out through nonmilitary means in— get them out through nonmilitary means. in that 17 days that we operated — means. in that 17 days that we operated in kabul after that taliban seized _ operated in kabul after that taliban seized power, we engaged in a round effort _ seized power, we engaged in a round effort to— seized power, we engaged in a round effort to provide every american the opportunity to leave. our state department was working 24/7, contacting them talking, and in some cases— contacting them talking, and in some cases walking americans into the airport _ cases walking americans into the airport. again, more than 5500 americans— airport. again, more than 5500 americans were airlifted out. and for those — americans were airlifted out. and for those that remain, we will make arrangements to get them out if they so choose _ arrangements to get them out if they so choose. as for the afghans, we and our— so choose. as for the afghans, we and our partners have airlifted 100,000 _ and our partners have airlifted 100,000 of them, no country in history— 100,000 of them, no country in history has— 100,000 of them, no country in history has done more to airlifted out the _ history has done more to airlifted out the residence of another country than we _ out the residence of another country than we have done. we will continue

to work— than we have done. we will continue to work to _ than we have done. we will continue to work to help more people leave the country who are at risk. we are far from _ the country who are at risk. we are far from done. the country who are at risk. we are farfrom done. for the country who are at risk. we are far from done. for now, the country who are at risk. we are farfrom done. for now, i the country who are at risk. we are far from done. for now, i urge all americans— far from done. for now, i urge all americans to _ far from done. for now, i urge all americans tojoin me in far from done. for now, i urge all americans to join me in the far from done. for now, i urge all americans tojoin me in the great for the _ americans tojoin me in the great for the troops and diplomats and intelligence officers who carried out this— intelligence officers who carried out this mission of mercy in kabul and the _ out this mission of mercy in kabul and the tremendous risk with such unparalleled results, and airlift that evacuated tens of thousands to a network— that evacuated tens of thousands to a network of volunteers and veterans who helped _ a network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation, guide them to the airport— evacuation, guide them to the airport and provided than for their support— airport and provided than for their support along the way. we are going to continue _ support along the way. we are going to continue to need their help. we need _ to continue to need their help. we need your— to continue to need their help. we need your help, and i'm looking forward — need your help, and i'm looking forward to— need your help, and i'm looking forward to meeting with you. and to everyone _ forward to meeting with you. and to everyone who is now offering or who will offer _ everyone who is now offering or who will offer to — everyone who is now offering or who will offer to welcome afghan allies

to their— will offer to welcome afghan allies to their homes around the world, including — to their homes around the world, including in— to their homes around the world, including in america, we thank you. i including in america, we thank you. i take _ including in america, we thank you. i take responsibility for the decision, now, some say we should have _ decision, now, some say we should have started — decision, now, some say we should have started mass evacuation sooner, and couldn't— have started mass evacuation sooner, and couldn't this had been done in a more _ and couldn't this had been done in a more orderly manner? i respectfully disagree _ more orderly manner? i respectfully disagree. imagine, if we had begun evacuations injune orjuly, evacuations in june or july, bringing _ evacuations injune orjuly, bringing in thousands of american troops _ bringing in thousands of american troops and — bringing in thousands of american troops and evacuating more than 120,000 — troops and evacuating more than 120,000 people in the middle of the civil war. _ 120,000 people in the middle of the civil war, there still would have been _ civil war, there still would have been a — civil war, there still would have been a rush to the airport, a breakdown in confidence and control of the _ breakdown in confidence and control of the government. and it still would've — of the government. and it still would've been very difficult and dangerous mission. the bottom line is there _ dangerous mission. the bottom line is there is— dangerous mission. the bottom line is there is no— dangerous mission. the bottom line is there is no evacuation from the end of— is there is no evacuation from the end of the — is there is no evacuation from the end of the wire that you can run without — end of the wire that you can run without the kinds of complexities,

challenges and threats we face, nine _ challenges and threats we face, nine for— challenges and threats we face, nine. forthose challenges and threats we face, nine. for those who say we should have _ nine. for those who say we should have stayed — nine. for those who say we should have stayed indefinitely, for years on end. _ have stayed indefinitely, for years on end, they ask, why don't we just keep doing — on end, they ask, why don't we just keep doing what we were doing four why do— keep doing what we were doing four why do we _ keep doing what we were doing four why do we have to change anything? the fact— why do we have to change anything? the fact is— why do we have to change anything? the fact is everything had changed. my predecessor had made a deal with the taliban. when i came into office. — the taliban. when i came into office. we _ the taliban. when i came into office, we faced a deadline, may one _ office, we faced a deadline, may one that— office, we faced a deadline, may one. that taliban on—site was coming, — one. that taliban on—site was coming, we faced one of two choices. foliow— coming, we faced one of two choices. follow the _ coming, we faced one of two choices. follow the agreement of the previous administration and extend it to have more _ administration and extend it to have more time _ administration and extend it to have more time for people to get out. or send _ more time for people to get out. or send in _ more time for people to get out. or send in thousands of more troops and escalate _ send in thousands of more troops and escalate the _ send in thousands of more troops and escalate the war. for those asking for a _ escalate the war. for those asking for a third — escalate the war. for those asking for a third decade of war in afghanistan, i asked,

for a third decade of war in afghanistan, iasked, what for a third decade of war in afghanistan, i asked, what is the vital national interest? in my view, we have _ vital national interest? in my view, we have one — vital national interest? in my view, we have one. that's to make sure afghanistan can never be used again to launch _ afghanistan can never be used again to launch an attack on our homeland. remember— to launch an attack on our homeland. remember it while he went to afghanistan in the first place, because — afghanistan in the first place, because we were attacked by osama bin laden— because we were attacked by osama bin laden and al-qaeda on september 11, bin laden and al-qaeda on september ii, 200i _ bin laden and al-qaeda on september 11, 2001. and they were based in afghanistan. we deliverjustice to bin laden— afghanistan. we deliverjustice to bin laden on may two, 2011. over a decade _ bin laden on may two, 2011. over a decade ago — bin laden on may two, 2011. over a decade ago. al-qaeda was decimated. i respectfully suggest you ask yourself this question, if we had been _ yourself this question, if we had been attacked on september 11, 2001 from yan— been attacked on september 11, 2001 from yan in— been attacked on september 11, 2001 from yan in instead of afghanistan, would _ from yan in instead of afghanistan, would we _ from yan in instead of afghanistan, would we have ever gone to war in afghanistan? even though the taliban

—controlled afghanistan in the year 200i _ —controlled afghanistan in the year 200i i_ —controlled afghanistan in the year 2001. i believe the honest answer is no. 2001. i believe the honest answer is no that's _ 2001. i believe the honest answer is no. that's because we had no vital interest— no. that's because we had no vital interest in— no. that's because we had no vital interest in afghanistan other than to prevent an attack on america's homeland — to prevent an attack on america's homeland and our friends. and that's true today _ homeland and our friends. and that's true today. we succeeded in what we set out _ true today. we succeeded in what we set out to _ true today. we succeeded in what we set out to do in afghanistan over a decade _ set out to do in afghanistan over a decade ago. then we stayed for another— decade ago. then we stayed for another decade. it was time to end this war~ _ another decade. it was time to end this war. this is a new world, that terror— this war. this is a new world, that terror threat — this war. this is a new world, that terror threat has metastasized across — terror threat has metastasized across the world well beyond afghanistan. we face threats from alice to _ afghanistan. we face threats from alice to bob and somalia, al-qaeda affiliates _ alice to bob and somalia, al-qaeda affiliates in the arabian peninsula and isis— affiliates in the arabian peninsula and isis attempting to create a fight _ and isis attempting to create a fight insight date next area and irag and — fight insight date next area and iraq and establishing affiliates across — iraq and establishing affiliates across africa and asia. the fundamental application of a

president in my opinion is to defend and protect— president in my opinion is to defend and protect america, not against threats— and protect america, not against threats of— and protect america, not against threats of 2001, but against the threats — threats of 2001, but against the threats of 2001, but against the threats of 2021 and tomorrow. that is the _ threats of 2021 and tomorrow. that is the guiding principle behind my decisions — is the guiding principle behind my decisions about afghanistan. i simply— decisions about afghanistan. i simply do not believe that the safety — simply do not believe that the safety and security of america is enhanced — safety and security of america is enhanced by continuing to deploy thousands of american troops and spending — thousands of american troops and spending billions of dollars a year in afghanistan but i also note that that threat from terrorism continues in its _ that threat from terrorism continues in its pernicious and evil nature. but it's— in its pernicious and evil nature. but it's changed. it's expanded to other— but it's changed. it's expanded to other countries. our strategy has to change _ other countries. our strategy has to change to — other countries. our strategy has to change to. we will maintain the fight _ change to. we will maintain the fight against terrorism in afghanistan and other countries, we 'ust afghanistan and other countries, we just don't— afghanistan and other countries, we just don't need to fight a ground work— just don't need to fight a ground work to— just don't need to fight a ground work to do— just don't need to fight a ground

work to do it. this means we can strike _ work to do it. this means we can strike terrorist targets without american boots on the ground, or very few— american boots on the ground, or very few if— american boots on the ground, or very few if needed. we have shown that capacityjust in the last week. we struck— that capacityjust in the last week. we struck isis k remotely days after they murdered 13 of our service members _ they murdered 13 of our service members. dozens of innocent afghans. and to _ members. dozens of innocent afghans. and to isis— members. dozens of innocent afghans. and to isis k, _ members. dozens of innocent afghans. and to isis k, we are not done with you yet _ and to isis k, we are not done with you yet as — and to isis k, we are not done with you yet. as commander—in—chief, i firmly— you yet. as commander—in—chief, i firmly believe the best path to guard — firmly believe the best path to guard our safety and our security lies in— guard our safety and our security lies in a — guard our safety and our security lies in a tough unforgiving targeted precise _ lies in a tough unforgiving targeted precise strategy that goes after terror _ precise strategy that goes after terror where it is today, not where it was _ terror where it is today, not where it was two — terror where it is today, not where it was two decades ago. that's what's — it was two decades ago. that's what's international interest. here is a critical— what's international interest. here is a critical thing to understand,

the world — is a critical thing to understand, the world is changing. we are engaged _ the world is changing. we are engaged in a serious competition with china. we are dealing with the challenges on all fronts from russia — challenges on all fronts from russia. we are confronted with cyber attacks _ russia. we are confronted with cyber attacks and _ russia. we are confronted with cyber attacks and nuclear proliferation, and we _ attacks and nuclear proliferation, and we must meet these new challenges in the competition for the 21st — challenges in the competition for the 21st century. we can do both. fight— the 21st century. we can do both. fight terrorism and take on new threats— fight terrorism and take on new threats that are here now and will continue — threats that are here now and will continue to— threats that are here now and will continue to be here in the future. there _ continue to be here in the future. there is— continue to be here in the future. there is nothing china or russia would _ there is nothing china or russia would rather have or would want more in this— would rather have or would want more in this competition and for the united — in this competition and for the united stand to be bogged down for another— united stand to be bogged down for another decade in afghanistan. as we turn the _ another decade in afghanistan. as we turn the page on the foreign policy that has— turn the page on the foreign policy that has guided our nation the last two decades, we have got to learn

from _ two decades, we have got to learn from our— two decades, we have got to learn from our mistakes. to me, there are two that— from our mistakes. to me, there are two that are — from our mistakes. to me, there are two that are paramount. first, we must _ two that are paramount. first, we must set — two that are paramount. first, we must set missions with clear achievable goals, not ones we will never— achievable goals, not ones we will never reach. second, we must stay clearly— never reach. second, we must stay clearly focused on the fundamental national— clearly focused on the fundamental national security interest of the united — national security interest of the united states of america. this decision— united states of america. this decision about afghanistan is not 'ust decision about afghanistan is not just about — decision about afghanistan is not just about afghanistan, it's about ending _ just about afghanistan, it's about ending in — just about afghanistan, it's about ending in era of major military operations to remake other countries. we saw a nation of counterterrorism in afghanistan, getting _ counterterrorism in afghanistan, getting the terrorist and stopping attacks— getting the terrorist and stopping attacks morphed into a counter insurgency, nation—building, trying to create _ insurgency, nation—building, trying to create a — insurgency, nation—building, trying to create a democratic cohesive and united _ to create a democratic cohesive and united afghanistan, something that has never— united afghanistan, something that has never been done over many centuries — has never been done over many centuries of afghanistan's history.

moving _ centuries of afghanistan's history. moving on — centuries of afghanistan's history. moving on from that mindset and those _ moving on from that mindset and those kinds of large—scale troop deployments will make us stronger and more _ deployments will make us stronger and more effective and safer at home — and more effective and safer at home. and for anyone who gets the wrong _ home. and for anyone who gets the wrong idea, — home. and for anyone who gets the wrong idea, let me say it clearly, to those — wrong idea, let me say it clearly, to those who wish america harm, to those _ to those who wish america harm, to those who— to those who wish america harm, to those who engage in terrorism against — those who engage in terrorism against us are our allies, no that's~ _ against us are our allies, no that's... the united states will never— that's... the united states will never rest, _ that's... the united states will never rest, we will not forget as, we will— never rest, we will not forget as, we will not — never rest, we will not forget as, we will not forget, we will hunt you down _ we will not forget, we will hunt you down to _ we will not forget, we will hunt you down to the ends of the earth, and you will— down to the ends of the earth, and you will pay— down to the ends of the earth, and you will pay the ultimate price. let me be _ you will pay the ultimate price. let me be clear, we will continue to support— me be clear, we will continue to support the afghan people through diplomacy, international influence and humanitarian aid. we will continue _ and humanitarian aid. we will continue to clash for diplomacy, engagement to prevent violence and instability. continue to speak up for the _ instability. continue to speak up for the basic rights for the afghan

people. _ for the basic rights for the afghan people, especially women and girls can as _ people, especially women and girls can as we _ people, especially women and girls can as we speak out for women and -irls can as we speak out for women and girls all— can as we speak out for women and girls all around the globe. i have been _ girls all around the globe. i have been clear— girls all around the globe. i have been clear that human rights will be the centre _ been clear that human rights will be the centre of our foreign policy. but the — the centre of our foreign policy. but the way to do that is not true and less— but the way to do that is not true and less military deployments. but through— and less military deployments. but through diplomacy, economic tools and rallying the rest of the world for support. my fellow americans, the war— for support. my fellow americans, the war in— for support. my fellow americans, the war in afghanistan is now over. i'm the war in afghanistan is now over. i'm the _ the war in afghanistan is now over. i'm the fourth president who has faced _ i'm the fourth president who has faced the — i'm the fourth president who has faced the issue of whether and when to and _ faced the issue of whether and when to and this _ faced the issue of whether and when to and this war. when i was running for president, i made a commitment to the _ for president, i made a commitment to the american people that i would end this _ to the american people that i would end this war. today, i honour that commitment. it was time to be honest with the _ commitment. it was time to be honest with the american people again. we no longer— with the american people again. we no longer had a clear purpose in an open _ no longer had a clear purpose in an open ended — no longer had a clear purpose in an open ended mission in afghanistan

after 20 _ open ended mission in afghanistan after 20 years of war in afghanistan, i refuse to send another— afghanistan, i refuse to send another generation of america's sons and daughters to fight a war that should've — and daughters to fight a war that should've ended long ago. after more than trillions of dollars spent in afghanistan and researchers at brown university— afghanistan and researchers at brown university estimated would be over $300 _ university estimated would be over $300 million a day for 20 years in afghanistan, for two decades. yes, the american people should hear this, _ the american people should hear this, $300 million a day for two decades — this, $300 million a day for two decades. you take the number ofi trillion _ decades. you take the number ofi trillion, many say, that is still $150 — trillion, many say, that is still $150 million a day for two decades. and what— $150 million a day for two decades. and what has to be lost as a consequence in terms of opportunities? i refuse to continue a war— opportunities? i refuse to continue a war that — opportunities? i refuse to continue a war that was no longer in the service — a war that was no longer in the service of— a war that was no longer in the service of the vital national interest— service of the vital national interest of our people. most of all, after— interest of our people. most of all, after 800,000 americans served in

afghanistan who travelled that whole country _ afghanistan who travelled that whole country, brave, honourable service, after— country, brave, honourable service, after 20,744 — country, brave, honourable service, after 20,744 american servicemen and women _ after 20,744 american servicemen and women injured and the loss of 2461 american _ women injured and the loss of 2461 american personnel, including 13 lights _ american personnel, including 13 lights lostjust this american personnel, including 13 lights lost just this week. i refuse to open— lights lost just this week. i refuse to open another decade of war in afghanistan. we have been a nation too long _ afghanistan. we have been a nation too long at— afghanistan. we have been a nation too long at war. if you are 20 years old today, — too long at war. if you are 20 years old today, you have never known and america _ old today, you have never known and america at _ old today, you have never known and america at peace. so when i hear that we _ america at peace. so when i hear that we could've, should've continued this so—called low—grade effort _ continued this so—called low—grade effort in _ continued this so—called low—grade effort in afghanistan, at low risk to our— effort in afghanistan, at low risk to our service members, at low cost, i to our service members, at low cost, i don't _ to our service members, at low cost, idon't think— to our service members, at low cost, i don't think enough people understand how much we have asked of the i% _ understand how much we have asked of the i% of— understand how much we have asked of the 1% of this country who put that

uniform _ the 1% of this country who put that uniform on, willing to put their lives _ uniform on, willing to put their lives on — uniform on, willing to put their lives on the line in defence of our nation _ lives on the line in defence of our nation. maybe it's because my deceased _ nation. maybe it's because my deceased sun served in iraq for a full year— deceased sun served in iraq for a full year before that. well, maybe it's because of what i've seen over the years — it's because of what i've seen over the years -- _ it's because of what i've seen over the years. —— maybe it's because of my deceased — the years. —— maybe it's because of my deceased son. maybe it's because of what _ my deceased son. maybe it's because of what i've _ my deceased son. maybe it's because of what i've seen from presidents, vice presidents travelling these countries. a lot of our veterans and families— countries. a lot of our veterans and families have gone through hell. deployment after deployment. months and years _ deployment after deployment. months and years away from their families. missed _ and years away from their families. missed birthdays... anniversaries... empty— missed birthdays... anniversaries... empty chairs— missed birthdays... anniversaries... empty chairs at holidays. financial struggles. — empty chairs at holidays. financial struggles, divorces, loss of limbs, traumatic— struggles, divorces, loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries, posttraumatic stress. we see it in the struggles many have when they come _ the struggles many have when they come home. we see it in the strain on their—

come home. we see it in the strain on their families and caregivers. we see the _ on their families and caregivers. we see the strain of their families when — see the strain of their families when they are not there. we see it in the _ when they are not there. we see it in the grief— when they are not there. we see it in the grief borne by their survivors. the cost of four they will carry— survivors. the cost of four they will carry with them their whole lives _ will carry with them their whole lives. most tragically we see in the shocking _ lives. most tragically we see in the shocking statistic that should give pause _ shocking statistic that should give pause to — shocking statistic that should give pause to anyone who thinks the warrior— pause to anyone who thinks the warrior can _ pause to anyone who thinks the warrior can never be low—grade. low risk, _ warrior can never be low—grade. low risk, low— warrior can never be low—grade. low risk, low cost... 18 veterans on average — risk, low cost... 18 veterans on average who died by suicide every single _ average who died by suicide every single day— average who died by suicide every single day in america. not in a far-off— single day in america. not in a far—off place, but right here in america _ far—off place, but right here in america. there is nothing low—grade or low— america. there is nothing low—grade or low risk— america. there is nothing low—grade or low risk or — america. there is nothing low—grade or low risk or low cost about any of it. or low risk or low cost about any of it it's _ or low risk or low cost about any of it it's time — or low risk or low cost about any of it it's time to— or low risk or low cost about any of it. it's time to end the war in afghanistan. as a closed 20 years of

war, afghanistan. as a closed 20 years of war. strife — afghanistan. as a closed 20 years of war, strife, pain sacrifice, it's time — war, strife, pain sacrifice, it's time to— war, strife, pain sacrifice, it's time to look to the future, not the past _ time to look to the future, not the past to _ time to look to the future, not the past to the — time to look to the future, not the past. to the future that is safe, to a feature — past. to the future that is safe, to a feature that is more insecure, to a feature that is more insecure, to a future _ a feature that is more insecure, to a future that — a feature that is more insecure, to a future that honours those who served _ a future that honours those who served and _ a future that honours those who served and all those who gave watch president _ served and all those who gave watch president lincoln called their last full measure of devotion. i gave you my word _ full measure of devotion. i gave you my word, with all of my heart, i believe — my word, with all of my heart, i believe this _ my word, with all of my heart, i believe this is the right decision. it's believe this is the right decision. it's a _ believe this is the right decision. it's a wise — believe this is the right decision. it's a wise decision. it's the best decision— it's a wise decision. it's the best decision for— it's a wise decision. it's the best decision for america. thank you, thank— decision for america. thank you, thank you — decision for america. thank you, thank you and may god bless you all. and may— thank you and may god bless you all. and may god protect our troops. president — and may god protect our troops. president biden there just completing his address to the nation. he told us that he would be doing this yesterday in a written statement, and he said quite a few

things, but essentially defending, justifying his decision for the way the evacuation and afghanistan was carried out, and he was saying, essentially, people don't understand what was going on, and for anyone who would criticise his decision to me don't understand the situation in afghanistan. it's time to look to a safer future, afghanistan. it's time to look to a saferfuture, he said, and he wants to say, stay clear and focused on national interest and remaining in afghanistan was not in the national interest of the united states. let's see how that address was received. let's speak now to the author and historian, carter, he wrote the american war in afghanistan, which many critics have regarded as the

definitive book of us involvement in the country. as i'm sure you are aware, that involvement ended last night with the last soldier leaving. you were listening to that address, what did you make of it? we are just going to start out your microphone, have we got your? in the neck i think president biden did indeed have a hard decision to make the decision have a hard decision to make ii�*uéi decision between staying in afghanistan in which peace wasn't really terribly possible and where would continue versus leaving, which i think he didn't understand would have some costs the costs that we have some costs the costs that we have seen take place, and may be a few more costs that we have yet to see. i think there was a decision made as he was just say because he was looking at the strategic picture

and no decision like that is easy. it wasn't going to be that we were going to leave afghanistan and everything was going to be fine and all ends would be met, so we were going to have to pay the cost for getting out, and i think the hope is that we can accrue those benefits, both the united states and our allies and partners, and indeed the world. ~ ., allies and partners, and indeed the world. ~ . , ., allies and partners, and indeed the world. ~ . i. ., ,, allies and partners, and indeed the world. ~ . .,~ ., , allies and partners, and indeed the world. . ., , ., world. what did you make of his tone and also the — world. what did you make of his tone and also the fact _ world. what did you make of his tone and also the fact that _ world. what did you make of his tone and also the fact that he _ and also the fact that he underlined the point that if the us didn't leave by the 31st, all bets were off as far as the taliban were concerned. i mean to me united states has now listen and obeyed the taliban, effectively. they are calling the shots. so taliban, effectively. they are calling the shots.— taliban, effectively. they are calling the shots. taliban, effectively. they are callin: the shots. ., ., calling the shots. so come out what would've happened _ calling the shots. so come out what would've happened after _ calling the shots. so come out what would've happened after the - calling the shots. so come out what would've happened after the 31st? i j would've happened after the 31st? i think it's fair enough that there was going to be increased risk that the taliban were going to be launching attacks, a lot of attacks

have happened, and it would be of greater violence and would be more difficult to control. that would not just be a risk for us, british and allies, but for the people in kabul. i cannot say for sure but the taliban would've done, but i think it is fair that there is an increased risk there. and obviously as an american to make him think that we are going to have the taliban called the shots for us. i think we executed an evacuation. i agree with the president that it was quite an impressive endeavour. after this we both cmr diplomatic approach towards the taliban. he this we both cmr diplomatic approach towards the taliban.— towards the taliban. he said what started off as _ towards the taliban. he said what started off as that _ towards the taliban. he said what started off as that was _ towards the taliban. he said what started off as that was inevitable, j started off as that was inevitable, wasn't it and that afghanistan is known for a very good reason to be a graveyard of empires. iloathe known for a very good reason to be a graveyard of empires.— known for a very good reason to be a graveyard of empires. who hates may be, es, graveyard of empires. who hates may be, yes, inevitable, _ graveyard of empires. who hates may be, yes, inevitable, it's— graveyard of empires. who hates may be, yes, inevitable, it's hard - graveyard of empires. who hates may be, yes, inevitable, it's hard to - be, yes, inevitable, it's hard to see countries, and simply deciding

to leave. i think that's difficult for us to do, and then once we are staying, i think it's very natural to look towards democracy as a government that would be best to the people. so in that sense, there was going to be an impetus to move toward nation—building, but they would also note that president obama didn't really reverse that as he drew back the surge, as he reduced the number of us prices from 2011 nine where britain and other countries reduce their forces too. at that point, the mission is really hard to describe as nation—building. it was much more from that point on more purely counterterrorism. {lilia more purely counterterrorism. 0k, carter, more purely counterterrorism. 0k, carter. we — more purely counterterrorism. 0k, carter. we have — more purely counterterrorism. 0k, carter, we have run _ more purely counterterrorism. ok, carter, we have run out of time. thank you very much, of course, we were waiting for that address and it came slightly later than expected. after your time joining came slightly later than expected. after your timejoining us here in bbc news, thank you very much indeed. you are watching bbc news with plenty more coming up right

here. don't go away. this is bbc news with me christian fraser. in the last half—hour, joe biden has spoken about the us's withdrawal from afghanistan after 20 years of war. the us president paid tribute to american military for their service in afghanistan, but made clear what he believes us foreign policy now needs to change. this is a new world. the terror threat has metastasized well away from afghanistan. in kabul, american uniforms, american weapons, but now worn by the taliban — the spoils of a war that was the us's longest military mission. now it has ended in the worst of ways, and it will live long in memory, here in afghanistan, in america and far beyond.

and run out of russia — our moscow correspondent