Britain was ready for the collapse of Afghanistan, but was surprised at the speed

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied that his government was unable to predict or prepare for the crisis in Afghanistan.

Johnson spoke with a packed parliament calling for controversy over Afghanistan, defending the long-term withdrawal of troops, and saying that the “harsh reality” was that the allies had no intention of continuing the operation without Americans.

The prime minister was frequently interrupted by parliamentarians from both benches during an emotionally heated parliamentary session. This is the first complete face-to-face sitting since the beginning of the pandemic.

In one interruption, Tory lawmaker Mark Harper said, “There was a catastrophic failure in our intellect or intellect assessment because of the speed at which this was unnoticed by us.”

Johnson responded by saying: “It would be no exaggeration to say that the events in Afghanistan progressed and the collapse was faster than the Taliban himself predicted. What is not true is that the British government was not ready or foresaw this. It means that it wasn’t. “

“It was certainly part of our plan. A very difficult logistical effort for the withdrawal of the British people has been prepared for months.”

Johnson said the US-led mission in Afghanistan depended on US military power, military power, and money.

“I think it’s really an illusion to believe that there is an appetite among either our partners for the continuation of military existence or the military solution imposed by NATO in Afghanistan,” he says. I did. “The idea ended with a 2014 combat mission.”

“Today, deploying tens of thousands of British troops to fight the Taliban, no matter how honest people claim it, I don’t think it’s an option to thank them for their integrity, but it’s I don’t think it’s an option. Praise either the British or this house. “

“We must accept what we have achieved and what we have not achieved and deal with our current position.”

Johnson reiterated his position that recognizing the Taliban government “prematurely or bilaterally” was a mistake for any country.

The Taliban have shown a stronger position than ever before, by pardoning those who supported the enemy and promising to respect women’s rights within Islamic law. Many international observers and Afghans dismiss this as a tactical ploy.

Epoch Times Photo
British citizens boarded a RAF aircraft at Kabul Airport during an evacuation after the Taliban hijacked the city on August 15, 2021. (LPhotBen Shread / MoD / PA)

Johnson said the new regime needs to be judged by its actions.

“We judge terrorism, crime, drugs, humanitarian access, and the right of girls to be educated by this administration’s choices and actions rather than words.”

Labor leader Sir Kiel Starmer said there was a “failure to prepare” by the government, which Johnson had “heavy responsibility” on.

He said the prime minister was in a position to take the lead on the international stage, but could not.

“Desperate situations require leadership and the prime minister needs to get out of his complacency,” he said.

A special all-day parliamentary session also provided the first glimpse into the politics of the Chamber of Commerce’s face cover.

The British Parliament, recalled from the summer vacation for discussion, met for the first time since the lifting of the Social Distance Act and the Mask Order.

On the government bench, only a few members of parliament covered their faces in the sea of ​​real faces. On the opposition Labor Bench, the opposite is true.

PA contributed to this report.

Simon Veazey

Simon Veazey

Freelance reporter

Simon Veazey is a UK-based journalist who has been reporting on the Epoch Times since 2006 on a variety of beats, from detailed coverage of British and European politics to web-based writing of the latest news.

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