Asia

Chaos Continues In The Kabul Airport As A Humanitarian Crisis Brews In Afghanistan

4:36pm August 19, 2021

by Jackie Northam

There have been more protests in parts of Afghanistan against Taliban rule. The militant group is already having challenges governing. With a humanitarian crisis brewing, thousands are trying to flee.

The U.S. Is Trying To Improve Relations With Southeast Asia — Using Western Vaccines

4:36pm August 19, 2021

by Michael Sullivan

U.S. vaccine diplomacy is in full swing, especially in Southeast Asia. This distribution of millions of shots is an effort aimed in part at helping regain influence across several countries.

World News

A Look At Afghanistan's 40 Years Of Crisis — From The Soviet War To Taliban Recapture

3:46pm August 19, 2021

by Hannah Bloch

Afghans have lived through Soviet and U.S. invasions, civil war, insurgency and a previous six-year period of heavy-handed Taliban rule. Here are some key events and dates from the past four decades.

World News

The Future Of The Afghan Girls Robotics Team Is Precarious

11:57am August 19, 2021

by Greg Myre

The teenagers made headlines when they came to Washington in 2017 for an international competition. Today they face a uncertain future with the Taliban again in charge of their homeland.

How Does The Taliban Victory Look To An Afghan Who Fought Alongside The U.S.?

7:21am August 19, 2021

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to a retired Afghan Air Force officer, identified only as Mohammed, about the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, and what life is like now for him and his family.

Politics & Government

The Chaotic U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan Puts Biden In A Political Hole

7:21am August 19, 2021

President Biden has resolutely defended his decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. But Republicans and many Democrats have criticized the way the administration has withdrawn.

Taliban fighters stand guard at a checkpoint in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. The Taliban declared an "amnesty" across Afghanistan Tuesday seeking to convince a wary population that they have changed.

Taliban Mark Afghanistan's Independence Day As Challenges To Their Rule Rise

6:40am August 19, 2021

The Taliban celebrated Afghanistan's Independence Day by declaring they beat the U.S. but face running a country short on cash where the possibility of an armed opposition is beginning to emerge.

National

Where Are Taliban Officials Getting The Money To Run Afghanistan?

6:18am August 19, 2021

by A Martínez

NPR's A Martínez talks to Gretchen Peters of The Center on Illicit Networks and Transnational Organized Crime about the Taliban's funding, and how the group has used that money in its rise to power.

News Brief: Biden Defends Afghan Withdrawal, Booster Shot, Aid For Haiti

5:57am August 19, 2021

President Biden reiterates his defense of the Afghan withdrawal. Millions of Americans will soon be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Earthquake aid is reaching Haiti but it's slow going.

President Biden discusses the COVID-19 response and vaccination program Wednesday at the White House. Biden also spoke about Afghanistan in an interview Wednesday with ABC News.

A Defensive Biden Argues There Was No Exit From Afghanistan 'Without Chaos Ensuing'

8:32pm August 18, 2021

by Alana Wise

The president told ABC News it was "a simple choice" to withdraw U.S. forces, and he faulted the Afghan government and its military for not more forcibly defending the capital.