New York, Sept. 24, 2024— President Joe Biden delivered what is likely his final speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, reflecting on the deaths of 13 U.S. service members during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021.
Biden said he thinks about the tragedy “every day” while defending his decision to end the two-decade conflict as “the right decision.”
The president’s remarks come as Republicans continue to criticise the administration’s handling of the pull-out, which included a deadly ISIS-K suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport. Secretary of State Antony Blinken faces a potential contempt vote in Congress for not testifying on the issue, attending the UN session instead.
Biden also touched on global crises, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the rise of artificial intelligence, warning of AI’s potential dangers if misused by authoritarian regimes.
Concluding his speech, Biden reflected on his decision to step aside from running for a second term, urging global leaders to prioritise the needs of their people over personal power.
