Perspectives: At Least 100 Americans Still Stuck in Afghanistan

The last U.S. troops have left Afghanistan, but at least 100 Americans who want to leave were left behind. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that 100-200 Americans are stuck in Afghanistan. The State Department is reportedly working with Qatar and Turkey to arrange charter flights out of the airport in Kabul; Blinken said Monday that he doesn't expect that process "to be easy or rapid." An ABC News/Ipsos poll released this week suggests that over 85% of Republicans, Democrats and independents believe U.S. troops shouldn't leave Afghanistan until all Americans are out. President Joe Biden told ABC on Aug. 18 that "if there's American citizens left, we're gonna stay to get them all out." National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday the U.S. had "the capacity to have 300 Americans" on the final flights out of Kabul, but Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie said Monday that no American citizens made it to those planes.

The Americans left behind and Afghans who worked with the U.S. military were highlighted across the spectrum; some left-rated voices also highlighted "possibly thousands" of green card holders also stuck in Afghanistan. Many voices, especially right-rated voices, have strongly criticized the Biden administration's handling of the Americans still there, with some accusing leaders of giving leverage to terrorists. Many across the spectrum also highlighted the billions of dollars worth of U.S. military equipment abandoned and left to the Taliban.