Ideas
What Comes Next? A Lesson from Saigon
Rather than marking the eclipse of American power, withdrawal from Vietnam coincided with its spectacular increase.
Policy
It Really Was 800+ Afghans on That Plane. They Forgot to Count the Kids.
The iconic photo of Reach 871, the packed U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane, touched people around the world—and highlighted the dire situation now facing Afghans.
Threats
At Kabul Airport, 2,000 Marines Provide Security and Process Evacuees
Meanwhile, the airfield perimeter is mostly held by soldiers of the 82nd Airborne.
Ideas
These Afghans Were Our Allies. Now We Must All Help Them Become Our Neighbors
Americans have a new chance to serve the interpreters and others who helped our troops in battle.
Policy
More Seats Than Passengers: Paperwork, Taliban Slow Afghanistan Evacuation
But the pace is picking up. Some 6,000 "will soon board planes," a State Department spokesman said.
Exclusive
Policy
Trump’s Pledge to Exit Afghanistan Was a Ruse, His Final SecDef Says
Chris Miller now says talk of a full withdrawal was a “play” to convince a Taliban-led government to keep U.S. counterterrorism forces.
Policy
‘All the Signs Have Been There’ Predicting Afghan Security Force Collapse, IG Says
For more than a decade, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has been warning about “ghost soldiers” and corruption to anyone willing to pay attention.
Policy
‘Cannot Ensure Safe Passage’: US Tells Americans in Kabul to Get to Airport On Their Own
Biden says U.S. forces may have to stay past Aug. 31 to help evacuate stranded personnel.
Ideas
The Next Big Refugee Crisis Just Started
The U.S. and its partners should respond to the needs of displaced Afghans, for national security reasons and long-term opportunities.
Policy
Air Force Launches Investigation Into Deadly Kabul C-17 Flight
Mobbed by civilians, the Globemaster crew raced to get back in the air. The service’s investigations office will look into the deaths that followed.
Threats
Afghanistan Veterans Struggling With News of Taliban Takeover
Advocates encourage veterans to use VA, veteran service organization resources for help.
Policy
US Ramps Up Emergency Kabul Airlift to Get 5,000 to 9,000 Out Per Day
American commanders are in direct talks with Taliban, who now control all outside access to the airport
Threats
‘There Is No Afghan Government’: NATO Stops Aid To Afghanistan As Taliban Take Over
Stoltenberg says aid could resume to an “inclusive government." And at the White House: “We will have to take a hard look at how we proceed on any basis at all.”
Policy
Biden: ‘I Stand Squarely Behind My Decision’ on Afghanistan
The president acknowledged that Kabul fell to Taliban control faster than he expected.
Policy
Inside Reach 871, A US C-17 Packed With 640 Afghans Trying to Escape the Taliban
The Air Force evacuation flight from Kabul to Qatar came near the record for most people ever flown in the Boeing airlifter.
Policy