State Dept: 1,500 Americans Still in Afghanistan, Some May Not Want to Leave

With less than a week until the Taliban warns of reprisals, the State Department says 1,500 Americans have yet to evacuate. Officials argued they may not want to leave.

Summary

With the Taliban’s August 31 deadline for leaving Afghanistan looming, 1,500 Americans are reportedly waiting to leave the country.

• Only 500 of those remaining have been successfully contacted by the State Department, leaving roughly 1,000 unaccounted for. 
• Last night, Afghan evacuees waiting outside the airport were told to “leave immediately” after specific and credible threats from the Afghan affiliate of ISIS were received. 
• As threats of violence and terror attacks increase in Afghanistan, the Biden administration is facing “bipartisan criticism” for its handling of the evacuations. 
• The Afghan refugee crisis has been ongoing for more than a year, with more than 2 million having fled for Pakistan or Iran in 2020.

• LAist reported on the problem of refugee resettlement in Southern California, citing exceedingly high rental prices that make it difficult to secure affordable housing. 
• CNN highlighted the plight of two dozen high school students from California and their families stuck in Afghanistan after visiting relatives. 
• Huffington Post did its very best to blame someone other than President Biden, arguing that former Trump advisor and immigration hawk Stephen Miller was responsible for the immigration visa process breakdown during an administration in which he is not serving.

• Newsmax reported on comments from House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy who blasted President Biden for “turning his back” on Americans still in Afghanistan. 
• The Daily Wire highlighted criticism of the State Department after officials attempted to say at least some of the roughly 1,000 Americans still unaccounted for likely don’t want to leave Afghanistan. 
• Townhall.com noted a prediction from former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton: If the Taliban are able to form a stable government, they may have the opportunity to sit on the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Author’s Take

I find it very difficult to believe there are that many Americans who don’t want to leave Afghanistan.

The report about high rent prices hampering refugee resettlement would be hilarious if it weren’t so sad. It’s a perfect encapsulation of the unintended consequences and ultimate failures of the more strident liberal policies.

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© Dallas Gerber, 2021