Joe Biden says he stands 'squarely behind' decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan

Mr Biden said he would rather take the criticism over the fallout in Afghanistan than leave the decision to withdraw to another president

President Joe Biden: 'The truth is this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated.' Picture: Evan Vucci/AP

President Joe Biden said he stands “squarely behind” his decision to withdraw US forces from Afghanistan, and that the government’s collapse was quicker than anticipated.

Mr Biden said he was faced with a choice between sticking to a previously negotiated agreement to withdraw US troops this year or sending thousands more service members back into Afghanistan for a “third decade” of war.