US reiterates support for Taiwan after Afghanistan withdrawal

The U.S. has reiterated its support for Taiwan and other allies such as Israel amid concerns raised following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“We believe our commitment to Taiwan and to Israel remains as strong as it’s ever been,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said during a press conference on Tuesday.

After U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took control over the weekend, China state media began saying the U.S. would not fight if China decided to take over Taiwan, according to Bloomberg.

Thousands of Afghan allies who have helped the U.S. in some capacity over the past two decades during the conflict there remain in Afghanistan, even after the Taliban declared control of the capital of Kabul.

“We believe that our commitments to our allies and partners are sacrosanct and always have been,” Sullivan said.

China has long claimed sovereignty over Taiwan, though the island has been ruled by the government in Taipei for decades following the Chinese Civil War.

Chinese warships and fighter jets conducted drills near Taiwan on Tuesday, only two days after Kabul fell to the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Among the harsh criticism President Biden has received over how the U.S. withdrawal unfolded, some critics have argued that the disorganized exit could affect the confidence allies have in the U.S. to come to their aid.

“Our message is very clear,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. “We stand by partners around the world who are subject to this kind of propaganda that Russia and China are projecting. And we’re going to continue to deliver on those words with actions.”