threatening afghans major cities. but the taliban continued a relentless march on remote outposts, villages, _ relentless march on remote outposts, villages, districts as well as major roads— villages, districts as well as major roads connecting them. byjanuary 2021 b _ roads connecting them. byjanuary 2021 b taliban was at the strongest military— 2021 b taliban was at the strongest military position it'd been in since 911. military position it'd been in since 9ii~ and _ military position it'd been in since 9ii~ and we — military position it'd been in since 911. and we had the smallest number of troops _ 911. and we had the smallest number of troops on — 911. and we had the smallest number of troops on the ground since 2001. as a result, — of troops on the ground since 2001. as a result, upon taking office, resident — as a result, upon taking office, resident biden immediately face the choice _ resident biden immediately face the choice between ending the war or escalating — choice between ending the war or escalating it. had he not follow through— escalating it. had he not follow through it on his predecessors commitment attacks on our forces and those _ commitment attacks on our forces and those allies _ commitment attacks on our forces and those allies would've resumed and the tele- _ those allies would've resumed and the tele— bands nationwide assault on afghans major cities would've commenced. —— taliban. that would've required _ commenced. —— taliban. that would've required substantially more forces into afghanistan to defend themselves and prevent a tele— band takeover~ _ themselves and prevent a tele— band takeover. taking caleb two casualties and at best the prospect of a stalemate and remaining in