Axios: CIA director: Afghanistan withdrawal poses "significant risk" of terrorist resurgence
CIA director William Burns acknowledged Wednesday that there is a "significant risk" that the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Afghanistan could allow al-Qaeda and ISIS to rebuild, but stressed that these groups currently do not have the capacity to attack the U.S. homeland.
Why it matters: President Biden is set to formally announce on Wednesday that the U.S. will withdraw all forces from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, potentially bringing America's longest war to a close after 20 years.
Driving the news: "We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan hoping to create the ideal conditions for our withdrawal, expecting a different result," Biden will say as he sets out a plan for withdrawal that will ultimately not be conditions-based.
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Update #1: CIA chief says intelligence will diminish once U.S. troops leave Afghanistan -- Reuters Update #2: CIA head says Afghanistan withdrawal 'will diminish' US intelligence efforts -- The Hill
WNU Editor: The White House has a different point of view .... Psaki dismisses military, CIA concerns about Afghanistan pullout (FOX News).
