Americans still fleeing Afghanistan

The United States continues to evacuate its citizens and allies from Afghanistan as the Taliban establishes its new government. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the Islamist regime promised to allow civilians safe passage to the airport, but he acknowledged reports that militants were turning away or even beating some travelers on the way. Thousands of Americans remain near Kabul, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told CNN on Tuesday. Other reports state the Taliban has been going door to door in Kabul looking for civilians on a list of people targeted for retribution.

Was this preventable? Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said U.S. intelligence clearly showed in advance that the worst-case scenario for a troop removal was also the most likely outcome. “This administration was specifically told Afghan forces would surrender faster than our ability to exit,” he said. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday the president stood by his decision to leave Afghanistan as the best option for the United States.

Dig deeper: Follow WORLD’s ongoing coverage of the crisis in Afghanistan.