What. A. Mess.
The State Department admitted they do not achieve their daily evacuation goal out of Kabul, Afghanistan.
Only 2,000 people have left Afghanistan in the past 24 hours. The Pentagon wanted 5,000 to 9,000 people to go each day. The C-17 planes can hold 300 people. The planes that left on Thursday only had 180 passengers.
The department tried to put a positive spin on the news:
“Since Aug. 14 we’ve airlifted 7,000 total evacuees. I can also confirm there are 6,000 people at the airport who have been fully processed by our consular team and will soon board planes,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.Price said that American citizens and green-card holders are given first priority to board and that the U.S. has “significantly expanded” the amount of people being flown out.
Richard Engel said people with private jets and organizations have reached out to help.
I’m guessing logistics come into play regarding private help, but still. Something has to be done.
Plus, how about the Americans not in Kabul? The State Department said the other day they could not guarantee the safety of citizens outside of the capital.
It turns out British paratroopers are rescuing British citizens around Afghanistan. Why can’t America do the same? From Fox News:
At a press briefing, Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin said: “General Taylor, British paratroopers are leaving the airport, going into Kabul to rescue and evacuate some of their citizens who are trapped [and] can’t get to the airport because of the Taliban.””Why isn’t the U.S. doing that?” she asked.Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor, who serves as deputy director of the Joint Staff Regional Operations, replied that the U.S.’ focus was on securing Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA).”At this time, our main mission continues to be to secure HKIA, to allow those American citizens and other SIVs to come in and be processed at the airfield.”
A non-answer because politicians (yes, he is a politician) can never give a blunt or straight answer about anything. It’s gross.
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