Topline
Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser, stated Sunday that only 300 Americans are still in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S troops from the region. He also said that the U.S. has all the capabilities to provide safe passage for the remaining contingent after the August 31 deadline.
WASHINGTON, USA – AUGUST 23: Jake Sullivan (US President Joe Bidens National Security Advisor) holds... [+] a Press Conference on Developments in Afghanistan in the James Brady Press briefing Room of The White House, Washington, DC, United States on August 23, 2021. (Photo by Yasin Otturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images). Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The Key Facts
According to a White House official, Sullivan stated that more than 300 Americans had been evacuated from Afghanistan on Saturday. This was in addition to the 2,900 evacuations made in the past 24 hours. According to Sullivan, the U.S. has already evacuated 5,000 Americans since August 14. He also said that there's still a chance for Americans to reach Kabul's Hamid Karzai Airport. A spokesperson for the State Department stated that 50 Americans were evacuated Saturday from nearly 5,500 Americans evacuated since August 14. There are 250 Americans in Afghanistan who want out and 280 others who have not yet decided if they want to stay. Sullivan claimed that the U.S. has a lot of leverage to force the Taliban to respect its promise to allow safe passage for Americans and Afghans seeking special immigrant visas to enter the United States. These comments follow attacks on the airport which left 13 U.S. soldiers and dozens more Afghans dead. The terrorist group ISIS-K claimed responsibility. Sullivan warned that it was a dangerous time in Afghanistan and that the U.S. will do everything possible to prevent and disrupt any threats. However, we cannot mitigate them.
Surprising Fact
According to the State Department, some Americans have decided to stay in Afghanistan despite the Taliban taking over the country. According to a spokesperson for the department, dozens of Americans informed officials that they don't want to leave Afghanistan due to a variety of reasons.
Chief Critic
According to the Washington Post, some House Democrats suggested that Sullivan and Secretary Antony Blinken resign over the chaos in Afghanistan to minimize political damage. Republicans in Congress have been calling for Biden and other officials' resignations.
What to Watch
Biden stated that an attack on the airport is highly probable in the next 24-36 hour.
