Afghan Withdrawal Allows US to ‘Shore Up’ Competitiveness to Confront China, Biden Says

President Joe Biden speaks on ending the war in Afghanistan in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington on Aug. 31, 2021. Brendon Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

President Joe Biden pointed to the U.S. competition with China as a reason for America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, in a speech on Aug. 31 declaring the end of the 20-year conflict in the war-torn nation.

Before commenting on China, he said future U.S. foreign policy would draw from two lessons in Afghanistan.