pull out. i have to tell you that the inability of afghan security forces to defend their country has played a very powerful role in what we ve seen over the last few weeks. the fact is, we invested, the international community invested over 20 years, billions of dollars in these forces. reporter: back at the airport, there are reports that at least some of that gunfire that has been heard was generated by u.s. troops stationed at the airport of, trying to control the situation, shooting into the air to try to disburse crowds, trying to get control of the crowds there at the airport as they scramble to get on airplanes. mine wheel, at the u.s. embassy, we understand that the american flag has been lowered, that happened just before dawn, about five hours ago in kabul. and the state department reports that the embassy has been
some surprise. i have to tell you that the inability of afghan security forces to defend their country has played a very powerful role in what we ve seen over the last few weeks. the fact is we invested, the international community invested over 20 years, billions of dollars in these forces. that is not what president biden said was going to happen. president biden: the united states insist we continue to keep the commitments we made providing close air support, making sure their air force functions and is operable, resupplying their forces with food and equipment, and paying all their salaries. but they ve got to want to fight. they have outnumbered the taliban. that was the last time the president spoke on camera about afghanistan, six days ago.
people but obviously we re keeping our eye on that, given all of the mayhem at the airport. u.s. secretary of state antony blinken is defending the u.s. s decision to pull out. i have to tell you that the inability of afghan security forces to defend their country has played a very powerful role in what we ve seen over the last few weeks. the fact is, we invested, the international community invested over 20 years, billions of dollars in these forces. reporter: back at the airport, there are reports that at least some of that gunfire was generated by u.s. troops firing into the air, simply seeking to control the crowds. reports also that tear gas may have been fired as u.s. troops try to control the situation at the a airport. obviously we re going to continue to watch that. meanwhile, back at the u.s. embassy, the american flag has been lowered and we are told
nothing of the afghan fighters who at this stage seem unable or unwilling to defend their own country. i have to tell you that the inability of afghan security forces to defend their country has played a very powerful role than what we ve seen over the last few weeks. the fact is we invested, the international community invested over 20 years, billions of dollars in these forces. kevin: yeah, 20 years of sacrifice, 20,000 wounded, over 2,000 dead. a tough and i dare say bitter pill to swallow for veterans of the war in afghanistan, mike. mike: kevin, we saw the secretary of state out on sunday shows today. makes you wonder when we will hear from the commander in chief at some point. i recognize he s at camp david and meeting with advisers but he is the commander in chief. kevin: you nailed it. i don t think there s any question that if you are running
deals it made with the taliban before leaving office. and, yes, they ve even blaming after began fighters for the unraveling of their country. i have to tell you that the inability of after a began security forces of afghan security forces to defend their country has played a very powerful role in what we have seen over the last few week toes. the fact is we invested, the international community invested over 20 years, billions of dollars in these to forces. reporter: secretary blinken speaking there. and i pointed out we had just received pictures from the white house. there you see the president today working up at camp david, receiving an update and conferring with the nation s top security cadre. still, many americans, arthel, will wonder more than 20 years, more than 20,000 wounded, more than 2,000 dead, for what in for what?