Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday delivered his heaviest criticism yet of US President Joe Biden’s plan to withdraw from Afghanistan, calling it “dangerous wishful thinking".
Speaking from the Senate floor, Mr McConnell said the withdrawal decision was “not clear-eyed or strategic”.
He said there was a lack of “a coherent plan to mitigate the geopolitical and humanitarian risks” and “there is every reason to believe Al Qaeda will regroup in its historic safe haven”.
The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to overthrow the Taliban and elements of Al Qaeda after the terror attacks of September 11.
Now the Biden administration has set September 11 this year as the deadline to pull out all remaining US troops from the country.
Mr McConnell voiced concern over the US military's future ability to conduct counter-terrorism “reconnaissance and strike missions” without a presence in Afghanistan.
“If the Taliban takes Kabul, will the Biden administration recognise it as the legitimate government of Afghanistan?" he asked.
"Will we shutter our embassy and our aid programmes?
“The reality is, they don’t know. They can’t say. There is no plan."
Biden administration officials insisted last week that they were planning to ensure the US would be able to continue its battle against terrorism after withdrawing.
David Helvey, assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific affairs, told Congress last Friday that the process was “ongoing”.
“We’re working to reposition our counter-terrorism capabilities, including by retaining assets in the region,” Mr Helvey said.
But while Mr McConnell’s view echoes some of the criticism by former generals and military officials, there appears to be no consensus within the Republican Party on the issue.
Republican senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Jim Inhofe and Rand Paul have welcomed the end to America’s longest war and bringing troops home.
The plan has also been met with praise from progressive members of Congress looking to keep the focus on domestic issues.
Twenty-three members of Congress, led by Democratic representative Mark Pocan, sent a letter to Mr Biden on Friday commending the withdrawal, saying it could save US taxpayers $50 billion.
They suggested spending the money on ending homelessness in the US.
US Central Command said last week that the withdrawal was on schedule and that the military had completed up to 20 per cent of the pullout.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20Mother%20
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UAE - India ties
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China
Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion
The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India
Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015
His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016
Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017
Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25
MATCH INFO
Wales 1 (Bale 45 3')
Croatia 1 (Vlasic 09')
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Places to go for free coffee
- Cherish Cafe Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, are giving away free coffees all day.
- La Terrace, Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, are serving their first 50 guests one coffee and four bite-sized cakes
- Wild & The Moon will be giving away a free espresso with every purchase on International Coffee Day
- Orange Wheels welcome parents are to sit, relax and enjoy goodies at ‘Café O’ along with a free coffee
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
THE BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
World Sevens Series standing after Dubai
1. South Africa
2. New Zealand
3. England
4. Fiji
5. Australia
6. Samoa
7. Kenya
8. Scotland
9. France
10. Spain
11. Argentina
12. Canada
13. Wales
14. Uganda
15. United States
16. Russia
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RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: AF Senad, Nathan Crosse (jockey), Kareem Ramadan (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ashjaan, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Amirah, Conner Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Jap Al Yaasoob, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.
4pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Manhunter, Ryan Curatolo, Mujeeb Rahman.
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