Afghan Taliban are Not trustworthy, remarks former top General
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Former United States Central Command Marine Corps General (retired), Frank McKenzie, voiced his skepticism regarding the reliability of the Afghan Taliban in light of their connections with al-Qaeda. General McKenzie, who played a pivotal role in overseeing the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, emphasized that the Afghan Taliban maintain close and enduring ties with al-Qaeda, raising significant concerns.
In an interview with CBS News conducted on September 10, just a day prior to the solemn anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, General McKenzie underscored the profound nature of the relationship between the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaeda. He characterized it as a "long-term familial and customary relationship," highlighting the gravity of the situation.
During the interview, the retired commander shed light on one of the primary motivations behind the US presence in Afghanistan, which was to prevent the country from becoming a launchpad for orchestrating or inspiring attacks on American soil and the homelands of US allies.
However, he lamented that the withdrawal from Afghanistan has made it significantly more challenging to achieve these objectives, casting a shadow over national security efforts.
General McKenzie's stance on the matter has been consistent since his retirement, as he openly opposed the decisions made by both President Biden and former President Trump to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan. He had strongly recommended leaving 25,000 US troops in Afghanistan to maintain a crucial American presence in the region, though his counsel was ultimately disregarded by President Biden
