The United States is leaving Afghanistan but has allies in the Indo-Pacific, says Kamala Harris
When asked what went wrong with America’s withdrawal after 20 years, he said that “there will and should be a solid analysis of what has happened,” but that it would have to wait.
Afghan citizens are evacuated by the United States Air Force from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.Credit:Captain Chris Herbert via AP
“I think the president has shown great emotion by expressing sadness for some of the images that we have seen. [in Kabul]”She said.” But we cannot be distracted in any way by what should be our primary mission at this time, which is to evacuate people from that region who deserve to be evacuated. “
The return of the Taliban to power has also caused fears about more terrorist threats, even in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
On Monday, a police bomb squad in Jakarta detonated a package believed to be a small bomb, causing the nails to scatter around the blast site. A witness saw three men throw a package in the trash in the morning and then heard a ticking sound, according to reports.
After meeting Harris, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he hoped Afghanistan would not again become an epicenter for terrorists and that the United States would remain a “benign and constructive influence” in the region.
“I told the vice president that we understand President Biden’s reasons for his decision. [to leave Afghanistan]Lee said.
Charging
“The intervention of the United States has prevented terrorist groups from using Afghanistan as a safe base for 20 years. Singapore is grateful for that.
“What matters is how the United States repositiones itself in Asia-Pacific, engages the wider region, and continues the fight against terrorism because that will determine countries’ perceptions of America’s global priorities and strategic intentions. ″
Harris’s visit comes less than a month after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also traveled to Singapore and Vietnam, which are not allies of the US treaty but are key security partners. Austin also met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila.
Global health, cybersecurity and climate change are also on Harris’ agenda in Southeast Asia and on Tuesday he will meet with business leaders on supply chains affected by the pandemic.
– with Karuni Rompies
