Republican-led House committee subpoenas Antony Blinken over Afghanistan withdrawal
NBCAUG 25 2024
US Congress Subpoenas Blinken Over Afghanistan Withdrawal
Above: US Secretary of State testifies before the Senate in May 2024. Image copyright: Kent Nishimura/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
The chaotic, lethal extraction of US troops from Afghanistan was a major scandal — in its planning and its execution. In the aftermath of this debacle, Congress has the right to pursue the truth about what happened. The American people, especially those who lost family members during that time, deserve an explanation from Blinken, the president, and anyone with whom Congress wishes to speak.
Left narrative
At best, this investigation has the aura of a political witch hunt; at worst, however, it completely disregards the plight of the hundreds of thousands of Afghans who were forced to leave their country in the withdrawal's aftermath. Congress should put similar energy into creating legislation that will help integrate these Afghans into US society, where they are now facing a humanitarian crisis. Congress must show it knows how to look forward, as well as back.