“And there is a need, whether it is true or not, there is a need to project a different picture,” Biden said.
A Reuters exclusive story has revealed an intimate call between President Biden and now-exiled Afghanistan President, Ashraf Ghani. Lasting roughly 14 minutes on July 23, August 15, the call reveals disturbing details around both Presidents' unpreparedness for what was to come.
Reuters reviewed the audio recording of the call, alongside a transcript to verify its authenticity. Provided by an anonymous source, the call is deeply private.
Most notably, Biden advised the Afghan President to create a mutual public perception of control and stability, even if this is not the case. "And there is a need, whether it is true or not, there is a need to project a different picture," Biden said.
Biden continued pushing his narrative on perception. "I’m not a military guy, so I’m not telling you what a plan should precisely look like, you’re going to get not only more help, but you’re going to get a perception that is going to change …," Biden said.
Ghani replied, "your assurance of support goes a very long way to enable us, to really mobilize us in earnest."
Only a few weeks after the call, the Taliban took all major cities in Afghanistan and claimed the country for their own.
The White House Tuesday declined to comment on the call.
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