Asia

Those Trying To Get Out Of Afghanistan Must Pass Through Taliban Checkpoints

7:20am August 18, 2021

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Al-Jazeera reporter Charlotte Bellis about the latest on the ground in Afghanistan following the fall of the country to the Taliban.

Music & Culture

News Brief: Taliban's Charm Offensive, Airport Evacuations, R. Kelly Trial

6:28am August 18, 2021

The Taliban try to convince the world they've changed. For thousands trying to get out of Afghanistan, the focus is on the airport. Opening statements will begin in the criminal trial of R. Kelly.

Queue Listen Now

Taliban fighters patrol in the Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood in the city of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 as they seek to convince a wary population that they have changed.

Taliban Destroy Statue Of Foe, Raising Fears Over Their Claims of Moderation

6:12am August 18, 2021

The insurgents' every action is being watched closely. They insist they have changed and won't impose the same restrictions they did when they last ruled, but many remain skeptical.

Australian Defense Force personnel assist the public at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Sydney, Wednesday, Aug.18th. Australia's most populous state reported a record 633 new infections on Wednesday.

Australia Outbreak Grows, Spreads To New Zealand As Southeast Asia Deaths Spike

5:35am August 18, 2021

Australia's most populous state reported a record 633 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday as concerns grew about the delta variant's spread beyond Sydney. Three people died on Tuesday.

U.S. soldiers stand guard as Afghans wait Monday at the Kabul airport following the swift end to Afghanistan's 20-year war.

National

As The Taliban Made Their Way To Kabul, Biden Ordered Troops Into Afghanistan

7:32pm August 17, 2021

by Brian Naylor

President Biden gave the order last week to send U.S. troops into Afghanistan as it became clear the Taliban were overrunning Afghan government forces on their way to taking the capital of Kabul.

World News

Spokesman Presented Taliban As More Inclusive This Time Around In Press Conference

5:30pm August 17, 2021

by Jackie Northam

The Taliban made some big promises during its first press conference since capturing Afghanistan. They said they would protect a free media and women's rights, but within the framework of Islam law.

Pakistan Sees 'Some Limited Room For Optimism' With Taliban In Afghanistan

4:55pm August 17, 2021

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Asad Majeed Khan about Pakistan's relationship with Afghanistan as the Taliban take control there.

U.S. Is Evacuating Afghan Allies — But Thousands Might Not Get Out Before Aug. 31

4:24pm August 17, 2021

by Tom Bowman

Officials say evacuation flights have resumed at the Kabul airport after chaos on Monday. But it's unclear if the thousands of Afghans who worked with U.S. forces can get out by the Aug. 31 deadline.

White House Officials Defended Withdrawal From Afghanistan

4:24pm August 17, 2021

by Ayesha Rascoe

White House officials defended the withdrawal from Afghanistan while taking questions from reporters Tuesday for the first time since Kabul was taken by the Taliban.

Hundreds of people gather outside the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.

World News

The Simple Steps You Can Take Right Now To Help Afghan Refugees

4:09pm August 17, 2021

by Deepa Shivaram

The Pentagon has set a goal of evacuating 9,000 people a day from the country. Those coming to the U.S. need assistance, as do those remaining in Afghanistan.