Pentagon Leaders: Not Enough Capacity For Rescue Operations In Kabul - Breaking Defense

WTF?
The Pentagon does not currently have the capacity to both defend Hamid Karzai International Airport and send forces out to collect Americans struggling to reach the last bastion of American presence in Afghanistan, according to the US defense secretary.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since Afghanistan began to collapse 11 days ago, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the focus has to be on keeping Kabul’s airport secure in order to facilitate getting as many Americans and accepted Afghans out of the country.

Yesterday the State Department estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 Americans remain in country. That number does not account for Afghans who are eligible for evacuation, or the many locals who have not been formally cleared but supported American forces over the last two decades and now fear for their lives.

Both men were pushed repeatedly on the fact that there are reportedly a number of eligible individuals who are trying to get to the airport, but are being stopped by Taliban checkpoints. The Taliban has established a perimeter around the airport, and are controlling who can pass through; the US State Department are working with Taliban officials to provide proper credentials. (Austin said there have been no “hostile” interactions between US forces and the Taliban.)