National Security

National

Many Facets Contributed To The Taliban's Rapid Takeover Of Afghanistan

8:33am August 16, 2021

NPR's A Martínez talks with former U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Joseph Votel about the military failures that led to the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.

Secretary Of State Blinkin Defends The Administration's Position On Afghanistan

7:45am August 16, 2021

President Biden has yet to respond to the news of the Taliban taking over Afghanistan — as helicopters evacuated U.S. personnel from the Embassy in Kabul. Biden has no public events scheduled Monday.

National

The Afghan Government Has Fallen And The U.S. Begins Finger-Pointing

6:54am August 16, 2021

The departure of American forces from Afghanistan was forecast to renew violence there, but few expected the Afghan government to fall so quickly. Now the blame game has begun in Washington.

National

News Brief: U.S. Controls Kabul Airport, Afghan Government Falls, Haiti Quake

6:40am August 16, 2021

The Afghan government has fallen and the Taliban are in control. The U.S. races to process special visas for Afghan contractors. The death toll from the earthquake in Haiti continues to rise.

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After U.S. Withdrawal In Afghanistan, Tough Questions Await Biden Administration

7:30pm August 15, 2021

by Mara Liasson

President Biden met with national security officials by video conference this morning to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

National

U.S. Diplomats Scramble To Evacuate Now-Shuttered Embassy In Kabul

7:30pm August 15, 2021

by Michele Kelemen

The Taliban are at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. The U.S. embassy in Afghanistan is shuttered. A small group of U.S. diplomats are now working out of a makeshift office at Kabul's airport.

National

Military Analyst: U.S. Trained Afghan Forces For A Nation That Didn't Exist

7:30pm August 15, 2021

NPR's Don Gonyea speaks with analyst Jason Dempsey about why, after years of U.S. military training and billions of dollars, the Afghan military has proven unable to stand up to the Taliban.

National

Pentagon To Send 1,000 More Troops To Aid Afghanistan

6:52pm August 15, 2021

by Greg Myre

An additional 1,000 troops will be heading to Kabul to assist in evacuation efforts. This will boost the overall expected numbers to some 6,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

National

U.S. Watchdog Criticizes Military Steps Preceding Taliban Takeover In Afghanistan

6:24pm August 15, 2021

NPR speaks with John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction, about how the U.S. military and Afghan government arrived at this point.

President Biden Defends U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan

5:42pm August 15, 2021

by Mara Liasson

President Biden met with national security officials by video conference this morning to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.