THE TALIBAN’S DEADLINE: At briefing after briefing at the Pentagon, the message from commanders is consistent but ambiguous. “Like all of our veterans who served in Afghanistan, this mission is very personal,” Gen. Stephen Lyons, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, told reporters yesterday. “I assure you that we will not rest until the military mission is complete.”
Minutes later, spokesman John Kirby added a major caveat. “We have a mandate to continue to conduct this evacuation until the end of the month,” he said. “Beyond that … there’s no U.S. military mission there. I’m not able to speculate or hypothesize what that would look like.”
The problem is with just seven days to go, no one in Washington will say if President Joe Biden will defy the Taliban’s Aug. 31 deadline for U.S. military forces to leave. “We believe that we have time between now and the 31st to get out any American who wants to get out,” said national security adviser Jake Sullivan at the White House.
“We are engaging with the Taliban, consulting with the Taliban on every aspect of what’s happening in Kabul right now,” Sullivan said. “We’ll continue those conversations with them. Ultimately, it will be the president’s decision how this proceeds, no one else’s.”
‘RED LINE’: TALIBAN WARN OF ‘CONSEQUENCES’ IF US KEEPS TROOPS PAST AUG. 31
GAINING SPEED BUT LOSING THE RACE: More than 200 U.S. military aircraft are committed to the airlift operation, and more than 37,000 people have been evacuated since Aug. 14. In one 24 hour period that ended yesterday morning, 16,000 people left Kabul aboard a combination of 25 U.S. C-17s, three C-130s, and 61 charter, commercial, and other military flights. Of that total, the U.S. military transported just under 11,000 personnel.
“Since the end of July, we have relocated approximately 42,000 people. Since the beginning of evacuation operations on Aug. 14, we have evacuated approximately 37,000,” Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor told reporters at a morning briefing. This morning’s report suggests that 20,000 people were evacuated in the past 24 hours.
“The United States is the only nation capable of rapidly deploying forces in providing non-stop airlift operations at this scale,” said Lyons, whose command is responsible for providing the air assets.
“Our crews are absolutely incredible. I won’t lie to you, they’re tired. They’re probably exhausted. In some cases, I know that the leaders from time to time are pulling crews out to make sure we don’t have safety issues, but they are motivated, they are fired up. And they are committed to complete this mission,” he said.
But even with the impressive numbers, it’s not at all certain all Americans can be evacuated by next Tuesday, much less the far greater number of Afghan partners and their families.
SCHIFF SAYS AFGHANISTAN EVACUATIONS BY AUG. 31 DEADLINE ‘VERY UNLIKELY’
POSSIBLE SHIFT TO CIVILIANS OPERATIONS: With the world poised to hear what Biden will do in the face of Taliban warnings that there will be unnamed “consequences” if the U.S. military doesn’t depart by the 31st, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby floated the idea that at-risk Afghan may still be able to depart the country via commercial and privately chartered flights.
“Just by virtue of the United States military leaving, doesn’t mean that everybody else is going to leave and not continue to fly aircraft out of there,” Kirby said. “It’s certainly possible that the airport would maintain operations going forward.”
“That would be for local authorities to figure out,” he said, referring to the Taliban. “But it is certainly possible that commercial traffic and charter traffic can still flow once the U.S. military mission is over.”
At an Atlantic Council event yesterday, former U.S. Afghanistan retired Gen. David Petraeus said it may be time for the U.S. to reconsider its decision to abandon the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, so that the U.S. has a diplomatic presence to continue to work with the Taliban.
“I’m sure that State is also examining together with the Department of Defense and interagency partners whether we should reoccupy that splendid embassy that we built for $750 million,” Petraeus said. “It would offer a lot of benefit as we figure out how we might influence the government being put together by the Taliban, which is going to be in such a serious fiscal bind in the near-to-midterm that the lights could literally go out in Kabul.”
WHITE HOUSE ADMITS FAILURE OF STALLING EVACUATION IN ATTEMPTS TO SLOW COLLAPSE OF AFGHAN GOVERNMENT
Good Tuesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Victor I. Nava. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.
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HAPPENING TODAY, AWAITING THE BIG DECISION: Facing domestic and international pressure to stand up to the Taliban by declaring that the U.S. will stay as long as it takes to get all Americans and Afghan partners out, President Joe Biden huddles with his national security team again this morning at the White House for an hour before meeting virtually with leaders of the world’s seven major industrialized democracies, known as the G-7.
The 9:30 a.m. EDT meeting was called by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who, reflecting the dissatisfaction of some of America’s closest allies, including Britain, France, and Germany, is expected to press Biden to extend the Aug. 31 deadline. Also attending will be NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
At 12 p.m., Biden is scheduled to again address the nation on the Afghanistan situation and would presumably discuss why the U.S. is or isn’t continuing the airlift operations past the end of the month. Stay tuned.
VACCINES MANDATED FOR TROOPS: As promised, once the FDA gave final approval to one of the available COVID-19 vaccines, the shot would be mandated for all U.S. military personnel.
“Now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved, the department is prepared to issue updated guidance requiring all service members to be vaccinated,” said spokesman John Kirby. “A timeline for vaccination completion will be provided in the coming days.”
During the afternoon Afghanistan briefing, Gen. Stephen Lyons could not say if everyone on the U.S. aircrews evacuating Afghans is fully vaccinated.
“We shouldn’t forget that we’re doing this operation in the middle of a pandemic. So all the crews are obviously masking. But the Afghans that are on the aircraft are not masked,” Lyons said. “Although great news today from the FDA. So pretty soon, they’ll be vaccinated.”
PENTAGON TO MOVE FORWARD WITH COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE FOR TROOPS FOLLOWING FDA APPROVAL FOR PFIZER
‘A CRUCIAL STEP FORWARD’: “Today’s full approval by the FDA for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19 marks a crucial step forward as we protect our service members and communities from this deadly virus,” said Rep. Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, in a statement. “Vaccination is the only way to beat this virus.”
“Protecting those who serve the United States in uniform from COVID-19 is far too important for partisan games or anti-science misinformation. COVID-19 vaccination across the U.S. military is a national security and military readiness issue,” said Smith, a Washington Democrat.
US PLANS TO OFFER COVID-19 VACCINES TO AFGHAN REFUGEES, WHITE HOUSE SAYS
WHO SHOT WHO? That exchange of fire at the airport gate yesterday in Kabul is being investigated as a possible case of friendly fire.
A statement from the U.S. Central Command said a “hostile actor” fired the shots that killed an Afghan National Army soldier who was helping the Americans provide security at the airport, but it was vague on how several other Afghan troops were wounded.
“The incident appeared to begin when an unknown hostile actor fired upon Afghan security forces involved in monitoring access to the gate. The Afghans returned fire, and in keeping with their right of self-defense, so too did U.S. and coalition troops,” the statement said.
“I think it’s really important that we let the people on the ground get their best estimate and idea of what happened and that we don’t try to do the forensics here at the Pentagon,” said Kirby. “Our troops have the right to defend themselves. They believed they were under threat. And they reacted accordingly. I don’t want to get into second-guessing that right now.”
ONE AFGHAN SOLDIER DEAD AFTER GUNFIRE AT KABUL AIRPORT
EXONERATED: The U.S. Capitol Police officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt as she attempted to climb through a broken window in the House Speaker’s Lobby on Jan. 6 has been cleared of all wrongdoing, won’t face discipline, and won’t be identified to the public.
“This officer and the officer’s family have been the subject of numerous credible and specific threats for actions that were taken as part of the job of all our officers: defending the Congress, Members, staff and the democratic process,” Capitol Police said in a statement.
“USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility determined the officer’s conduct was lawful and within Department policy, which says an officer may use deadly force only when the officer reasonably believes that action is in the defense of human life, including the officer’s own life, or in the defense of any person in immediate danger of serious physical injury,” the statement said.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: Pentagon to move forward with COVID-19 vaccine mandate for troops following FDA approval for Pfizer
Washington Examiner: Schiff says Afghanistan evacuations by Aug. 31 deadline ‘very unlikely’
Washington Examiner: ‘Red line’: Taliban warn of ‘consequences’ if US keeps troops past Aug. 31
Washington Examiner: White House admits failure of stalling evacuation in attempts to slow collapse of Afghan government
Washington Examiner: Biden officials ‘cannot provide a precise number’ of US citizens stuck in Afghanistan
Washington Examiner: White House: It’s ‘irresponsible’ to describe Americans in Afghanistan as ‘stranded’
Washington Examiner: How the US is handling coronavirus in Kabul amid Afghanistan evacuations
Washington Examiner: US plans to offer COVID-19 vaccines to Afghan refugees, White House says
Washington Examiner: One Afghan soldier dead after gunfire at Kabul airport
Washington Examiner: Taliban claim they’ve retaken three northern districts seized by Afghan militias
Washington Examiner: China faces big risks if it wants to access Afghanistan’s mineral wealth
Washington Examiner: Border Patrol agents warn of morale collapse amid crisis: ‘Downtrodden, almost dead inside’
Washington Post: CIA Director William Burns held secret meeting in Kabul with Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar
AP: At-risk Afghans fearing Taliban hunker down, wait to leave
AP: Taliban takeover prompts fears of a resurgent al-Qaida
Bloomberg: China Has Improved Accuracy of Its Missile Force, U.S. Army Finds
Times of London: Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Puts China Years Ahead In Missile Race
Reuters: U.S. VP Harris Says China Intimidates To Back South China Sea Claims
Washington Post: Harris, In Asia, Says U.S. Is Still A ‘Global Leader’
Air Force Magazine: Raymond: New STARCOM Will ‘Shape the Next Century’ of Space Operations
AP: Putin Launches Construction Of New Nuclear Subs And Warships
19fortyfive.com: The Taliban Are Ditching AK-47s for Captured U.S. M16 Rifles
19fortyfive.com: How Your Tax Dollars Just Armed the Taliban with Billions in U.S. Weapons
Task & Purpose: Three Babies Born Amid Afghanistan Evacuation, General Says
Wall Street Journal: Security Woes Disrupt Haiti Relief Effort
Reuters: Iran Resumes Fuel Exports To Neighbouring Afghanistan
AP: Iran official acknowledges videos of Evin prison abuse real
19fortyfive.com: Japan Has a Master Plan for a New 6th Generation Stealth Fighter
19fortyfive.com: The Air Force’s Unmanned Stealth Future Is Almost Here
Washington Examiner: Opinion: British army finds reinvigorated purpose in Afghanistan
Calendar
TUESDAY | AUGUST 24
8:30 a.m. — Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association virtual Federal Identity Forum and Expo, with Ken Kroupa, defense biometrics and forensics director in the Office of the Secretary of Defense/https://events.afcea.org/FedID21/Public/enter.aspx
10 a.m. House Triangle, U.S. Capitol — House Republicans hold a news conference to discuss the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, with House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La.; Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind.; Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla.; and Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla.
10 a.m. — Brookings Institution virtual discussion: “How Veterans Can Protect American Democracy,” with former Coast Guard Commandant Jim Loy; former Navy Secretary Sean O’Keefe; retired Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni, former commander in chief of U.S. Central Command; former Army Secretary Louis Caldera; Jeremy Butler, CEO of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; Susan Thaxton, chief programs officer at the Mission Continues; and Jake Harriman, CEO of More Perfect Union https://www.brookings.edu/events
10:30 a.m. EDT — Day Two of the Space Foundation 36th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo, with Chief of Space Operations Gen. Jay Raymond; Bill Nelson, NASA administrator; Frank Kendall, Air Force Secretary; Christopher Scolese, director of the National Reconnaissance Office; Army Gen. James Dickinson, commander, U.S. Space Command; John Hill, DOD principal director for Space Policy; and Air Force Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Full agenda at https://www.spacesymposium.org/agenda
11:45 a.m. HVC-Studio A, U.S. Capitol — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.; House Veterans’ Affairs ranking member Mike Bost, R-Ill.; House Foreign Affairs ranking member Michael McCaul, R-Texas; and House Armed Services ranking member Mike Rogers, R-Ala., hold a news conference with Republican members who have served in Afghanistan. Livestream at https://republicanleader.house.gov/live/
12 p.m. — Hudson Institute virtual event: “Can We Prevent Further Calamity in Afghanistan?” with former national security adviser retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster; Robert Greenway, adjunct fellow, Amb. Husain Haqqani, senior fellow; and Nadia Schadlow, Hudson senior fellow. https://www.hudson.org/events
WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 25
10 a.m. — FedTalks virtual summit with John Sherman, acting Pentagon CIO, and others. https://www.fedscoop.com/events/fedtalks/
1 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies webcast discussion: “Afghanistan Aftershocks,” with Susan Glasser, staff writer, The New Yorker; Seth Jones, director, International Security Program, CSIS; Marti Flacks, director and senior fellow, Human Rights Initiative, CSIS; Michael Green, senior vice president for Asia and Japan Chair, CSIS; and H. Andrew Schwartz, chief communications officer, CSIS.https://www.csis.org/events/afghanistan-aftershocks
3 p.m. — National Security Alliance “Wednesday Wisdom” panel discussion: “Is the IC Staying Ahead of the Digital Curve?” with Elizabeth Leyne, chief of analysis for Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula at the Defense Intelligence Agency; Yvette Nonte, national defense strategy integrator for the Defense undersecretary for intelligence and security, warfighter support; and retired Army Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. https://www.insaonline.org/event/is-the-ic-staying-ahead-of-the-digital-curve/
4:40 p.m. EDT — Day Three of the Space Foundation 36th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo, with Lt. Gen. John Shaw, deputy commander of the U.S. Space Command, and Derek Tournear, director, Space Development Agency. Full agenda at https://www.spacesymposium.org/agenda
THURSDAY | AUGUST 26
11:45 a.m. EDT — Day Four of the Space Foundation 36th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo, with Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle, commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command. Full agenda at https://www.spacesymposium.org/agenda
12 p.m. — Hudson Institute virtual discussion on China’s nuclear program with Navy Adm. Charles Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command; and Rebeccah Heinrichs, Hudson senior fellow. https://www.hudson.org/events/2001-virtual-event
FRIDAY | AUGUST 27
11:30 a.m. — Air Force Association virtual Nuclear Deterrence Forum on “the threat of Chinese and Russian nuclear stockpiles, the U.S. nuclear modernization effort, and the future of U.S. nuclear deterrence,” with Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command. https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/event/nuclear-deterrence
12 p.m. — Hudson Institute virtual event: “Implementing Mosaic Warfare and Decision-Centric Operations,” with David Spirk, ODO Chief Data Officer; Tim Grayson, director, DARPA Strategic Technology Office; Bryan Clark, Hudson senior fellow; and Dan Patt, Hudson adjunct fellow. https://www.hudson.org/events
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I think Washington is going to have to provide some more specific guidance on who can come to the U.S., or even go to a third country. We have written right now a very substantial blank check that I fear we may struggle to redeem.”
Former U.S. Afghanistan Commander retired Gen. David Petreaus, arguing that the number of Afghans expecting to come to the U.S. exceed the ability of the U.S. to evacuate them.
