Power Line is hot today, their John Hinderaker quotes a Reuters story taken from transcripts of a July 23 conversation between President Biden and Afghanistan's then-President Ghani. Biden speaks:
The perception around the world and in parts of Afghanistan, I believe, is that things aren’t going well in terms of the fight against the Taliban. And there’s a need, whether it is true or not, there is a need to project a different picture. (emphasis added)
Biden continues, lying blatantly:
We will continue to provide close air support, if we know what the plan is and what we are doing. And all the way through the end of August, and who knows what after that.
Ghani responds:
What is crucial is, close air support, and if I could make a request, ... that if it could be at all front-loaded, we will greatly appreciate it.
The evacuation of Bagram Air Force Base on July 5 effectively marked the end of close air support in Afghanistan. Both parties were lying on that fateful call. Being politicians, it was all in a day's work.
