As evacuations continue in Afghanistan, up to 1,500 Americans remain
LA TimesTaliban fighters guard a checkpoint outside an entrance to the Kabul airport, making Afghans with travel documents wait in the corner for their turn to proceed. Blinken also vowed to use “every available tool” to eventually rescue vulnerable Afghans whose lives under Taliban rule would be especially perilous but whose transport from the country is vastly more complicated, particularly those who worked with the U.S. over the last two decades. “That effort will continue every day past Aug. 31.” Blinken made an identical assurance to “the many Afghans who have stood by us over these many years, want to leave and have not been able.” That rang hollow, though, for thousands of Afghans desperate to leave and swamping the airport in Kabul. Taylor also described an operation under cover of darkness late Tuesday or early Wednesday in which U.S. special forces emerged by helicopter from the Kabul airport to rescue about 20 people elsewhere in the city. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. intended to set up some form of consular services for Afghans who would want to leave Afghanistan after the end of the month.