The goal was to ramp up to hourly evacuation flights by Wednesday, with potentially a total of 5,000 to 9,000 evacuees leaving per day, the spokesmen say.
Afghanistan
Taliban vow to respect women, despite history of oppression
Older generations remember the Taliban’s ultraconservative Islamic views, which included severe restrictions on women as well as public stonings and amputations.
Billions spent on Afghan army ultimately benefited Taliban
The Afghan security forces turned out to be hollow, equipped with superior arms but largely missing the crucial ingredient of combat motivation.
Maine senators question Biden administration’s handling of Afghanistan withdrawal
U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King are seeking explanations for the chaotic collapse of the Afghan government, while U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree defends the president’s actions.
Biden says he stands ‘squarely behind’ Afghanistan decision
The president calls the anguish of trapped Afghan civilians ‘gut-wrenching’ and concedes that the Taliban achieved a much faster takeover of the country than his administration expected.
U.S. vows to isolate Taliban if they take power by force
A U.S. peace envoy has brought a warning to the Taliban that any government that comes to power through force in Afghanistan won’t be recognized internationally.
Taliban kill Afghan media chief in Kabul, take southern city
The militant group has been surging for months in the country, taking swaths of land as U.S. and NATO forces complete their final pullout by the end of the month.
Biden says U.S. war in Afghanistan will end Aug. 31
Biden also amplified the justification of his decision to end U.S. military operations even as the Taliban make rapid advances in significant swaths of the country.
Biden vows to evacuate thousands of Afghans who helped U.S.
The administration has begun to identify a group of interpreters to be relocated before the military completes its drawdown by September.
Pentagon officials offer Congress few answers on Afghanistan pullout
Members of the House Armed Services Committee express frustration as they seek details on how the U.S. will keep the terrorist threat from re-emerging there.