Biden, 2008: "If in fact there is a failure -- meaning that American and international forces leave -- there's a dysfunctional government allowing the Taliban back in, effective de facto control of the country, then I think what you do is you'll embolden al Qaeda."
Biden made these comments at a @CFR_org session. Everyone, of course, is entitled to change their mind and times have changed. Biden said he never believed one could unify Afghanistan. While he didn't use those words, he talking about connecting the central govt to the provinces.
^^ I should make clear Biden said today he never believed the country could be unified. But in 2008 he pressed for more roads to connect the nation. "How do you spell 'hope' in Dhari or in Pashtu? A-s-p-h-a-l-t. Asphalt," he told @CFR_org.
Folks, of course it was a long time ago and everyone ca change their mind. I was checking whether he ever pressed to unify Afghanistan, contrary to his comment today.
The entire presentation --Feb. 28, 2008 -- is fascinating and worth looking up. It's yet another reminder of how Biden has been thinking about these issues for a very long time.
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