After the devastating 7. 2 magnitude earthquake. Relief workers say they are dealing with problems right now. The threat of gangs making it difficult to access areas. Speak with one of them a little bit later on this hour. Yeah that really country really Cant Catch a break. Their president was excessive needed last month. A Tropical Storm is heading there. We were gonna talk with one of those groups. But first we do say good morning. Im lindsay reiser. Were talking about two countries right now that Cant Catch a break at all. Of course im candice gibson. Lets get straight to the big Breaking News out of afghanistan where the taliban claims every major city accept cobbled, at least for now, is under their control. Were going to take a look at a time Lapse Mask here and it shows the districts across afghanistan, how quickly the taliban has gained ground. This was compiled by the longhorn journal. And the red you see shows the Districts Control by the taliban. So everything angry, which is really just the couple promised province there. Everything agree is under government control. Essentially all roads in and out are under taliban control. After years of Defense Training and support vanishing with horse finds pete, u. S. Efforts have new emergency right now. President biden now increasing Troop Deployment to 5000 to evacuate The American embassy and personnel. As well as allies all right, were going to go straight to Nbc News chief foreign correspondent Richard Angle who is live on the ground In Kabul. Were also going to discuss with Shannon Petty and some other guests as well. Including the Congressman Jake Auchincloss, who is a military veteran and served sometime in afghanistan. Thank you guys all for being here and get me started. Richard, were gonna start with you here. This is story that is literally developing by the minute. The taliban claims it captured the key northern city of and then the eastern city of jalalabad. Is the question right now homage time kabul has left . It does feel like this city is falling. Its a question of when it falls and how it falls. There are already today numerous witness reports that there was a small foray into the city by a taliban cell. It may have been a Sleeper Cell that was already in the city. And there are negotiations happening right now at the president ial palace with a senior taliban representative. And the focus of those negotiations is to hand over the government to. To have a Transition Government to which the taliban will be in charge. And what the taliban and the negotiators are trying to do is have a peaceful, or as peaceful as possible, transition of power here In Kabul, so that when the taliban takeover, there is not mass panic. Theres not blood on the streets. That is the very soon to be, outgoing government it seems. What is happening all around me and, you can hear some of it perhaps in a second youll be able to see, is the evacuation of american personnel is happening at a very, very rapid pace. The airport is just a few miles behind me. All day, weve been hearing and seeing helicopters, aircraft, moving from the area where the u. S. And foreign embassies are, going to the airport. And that is the Staging Area where u. S. Troops are deployed. That is a Staging Area where the u. S. Has said to the taliban, if it approaches and threatens american personnel as they try and evacuate, they will be attacked. But right now, the taliban are surrounding the city. They found moved in ever so slightly, as these negotiations to take the whole city are underway. And those know she negotiations could wrap up. So this city could be effectively under the control of an interim government, led by the taliban, even by tonight. And it is not just the outer provinces theyve taken. The taliban also have claimed to have taken bagram airbase. And some 5000 taliban prisoners who were there. Thats just on the outskirts Of Kabul. Theyve taken other areas on the outskirts of top kabul. So they have surrounded the city and it seems like it is a matter of time and perhaps just a short. Time ha richard i want to circle back to what he said at the top of that report. It would seem to be quite a major development. Once again, we believe that representatives from the taliban are right now in the president ial compound at the president ial palace, negotiating some sort of agreement right now. Anything more you can add to that . Yes, that has been reported by both the Defense Minister here and the Interior Minister. Who say that the taliban delegation we miss an Opportunity A Helicopter just came by. They have been constant. Constant circulation. Some are just observational helicopters. Several Government Officials, senior Government Officials at the palace say that these meetings are going on right now. Negotiations have already started. And that the goal of these negotiations is to create some sort of acceptable, interim government. A government that would be acceptable to the taliban, led by the taliban. That would see the taliban take over the city of roughly 6 Million people, without It Descending into anarchy and chaos. Just an extraordinary update there. We are talking about a potential transfer of power by tonight, as your reporting. Richard, youve been also tweeting from Visa Application centers were people afghans have literally begged you for help. What are you seeing . Begg it is unclear that this Transition Government will take Place Tonight . There is some talk about the government might see that there will be a Transition Period for six months, led by the taliban. Well have to wait for more details as they emerge from this meeting. Which i think were going to get in the next several hours. The negotiations are one thing. Having the power on the ground is what the taliban has right now. And yes, afghans, many of them want to leave. We were at a Visa Processing Center earlier today, and there were many afghans in their. They were crowded in their. They were leaning over computers, waving papers. The were people who work for the u. S. Military, trying to get their visas. And theyre trying to get their visas now. Its not an easy system to operate, type of these Application In in english on these websites. As the embassy is being evacuated. People wear their. Some of them were crying. Some of them were coming up to me hoping that as an american, maybe i could help expedite the process. Which of course, i dont have the ability to do. But it was a scene of people showing up out of desperation. Its the 11th hour. Seeing if they can get some sort of these up and on one of these planes after leaving. Richard i want to talk about the Security Aspect while you are there on the ground in afghanistan. Because we talk about the taliban right now is peacefully having talks. Have you noticed or heard any sort of gunfire . Or any sort of conflict . And i know afghanistan and kabul, is normal on any day. But anything else . Yes, i havent heard myself. But some witnesses have heard in other parts Of Kabul said there were some fairly short bursts of gunfire during what appeared it to be at least two episodes in which small groups of taliban came in. Kind of approving mission. But it didnt result in a take or a major can battle. But it was a taliban incursion, if you will. And there was some gunfire. But generally, when the taliban has been taken over city after city, theyve been taking it over relatively easily. Because the afghan Security Forces have more or less melted away and are not putting up a fight. Which is allow the taliban to take the territory very rapidly. And also to accumulate huge stockpiles of weapons. So when these troops leaves, sometimes they take their weapons and oftentimes they dont. Imes the lets bring in shannon into the conversation. Because of course china, these days right now in Camp David, he has been briefed or told throughout all of this. If you recall, just about a month ago, on july 8th, he said the likelihood that there is going to be the taliban running everything and owing the whole country is unlikely. Where does this administration go from here . Well, this is certainly not the situation that this president had hoped for or predicted. To your point there. But nonetheless, the President Says he is staying the course. That his focus is on getting The American Embassy Personnel out of their, ensuring the protection of the troops the 5000 that are now being sent to help help with the evacuation of mc personnel. To try and process these Visa Applications as fast as they can. Obviously based on richards reporting, that does it appear to be fast enough. But the president maintaining that he has no regrets about this decision. And that it is time for the u. S. To get out of afghanistan. He put a lengthy statement where he said at The End, i was the fourth president to preside over american Troop Presence in afghanistan. To republicans, to democrats. I would not and will not pass this war on to a fifth. An administration officials have defended this position in the pass, saying that there is not an american national Security Interest in remaining in afghanistan. That it is not the place of the u. S. Military to address a humanitarian crisis or a civil war. That the place for the u. S. Right now is in a diplomatic mission. Trying to work those diplomatic channels as much of a long shot as they seem to be at this point, and providing humanitarian Aid And Assistance to the afghan people. Putting pressure on the taliban, the afghan government, from the International Community. But not in the military operation. And they have said that the public supports pulling troops out of afghanistan. That this is something that The American people want. Well that may have been true an april, it does appear that that sentiment could be shifting as we see images like these and we heard both republicans and democrats speaking out to criticize the President S strategy. And of course, all of this coming just weeks ahead of the 20th Anniversary of september 11th. That indeed. The timing is very critical. And we do want to update everybody with somE Information that Nbc News just confirmed according to both a Freelance Producer that we have In Kabul. And also a statement from afghanistans Interior Minister. They say that the security of the city, kabul, has been guaranteed. There will be no attack on the city. The big city of power will be handed over temporarily to a Third Party and it is our duty to secure the city. They say kabul will be safe. There wont be any problems In Kabul. Richard, as we bring you and, it says dont be a victim of taliban propaganda. Do you think that the afghan people have confidence that their safety can be guaranteed . It looks like we lost richard. Well continue on. Shannon is pettypiece joining us from the White House. We also are very fortunate to have jack jacobs. Colonel, i do want to start with. You leave been watching over the last couple of hours some of those live pictures from afghanistan. If you have those Life Shots lets put him up as well so we can monitor the situation. There notice some of the ship helicopters. The c 47 shook helicopters which can carry about 33 people are so. At some point, i saw them firing off what would appear to be some Heat Flares . And the idea what is happening there . And the idea the assumption ie taliban have anti aircraft capability. Unless it just upper protective measure to divert the focus of any ground to air missiles. It would not appear from richards report that the taliban are anywhere near where The Americans are located. But just as a measure of safety, they do that from time to time. Colonel, im going to ask you a question that i posed to richard and then he obviously went to continue gathering there on the field. Colonel, can afghans right now, the Government Guarantee that they can be safe during this transition . No, the Government Cant Guarantee anything. One of the reasons we are leaving is that after three President S in a row said were leaving, the conclusion is that the afghan Government Cant protect itself. The afghan army, as big as President Biden says it is, 300,000 strong with all its equipment they cant protect the afghan people. There isnt the will among the afghans to protect themselves, even after all the time and Money Weve spent their. And theres a number of reasons for that. One of them is that theres terrible corruption inside the government and inside the army as well. Ammunition, weapons, basic items such as food and water, have been diverted in many cases. And the Front Line troops, particularly in the outlying regions and provinces have been decried private of this capability to pair fandom self. The second thing, is the inability of the afghan government itself to control what takes place in the outer provinces. And the third is the conclusion the afghans afghans came after three President S in the row said were living, and were going to stay, and were not. Thursday colonel, after the evacuations are back to the evacuations were told by the administration they hope to have the nonessential employees from the embassy out by at least tuesday. Its a herculean effort over the next 2 to 3 days. Would you say its ask saigon two point oh . Or this is a very different situation . Oh . It looks a lot like saigon in 1975. To the extent of the rapidity with which the takeover has occurred. There is one difference here and that is we are talking to the taliban. And we do have the capability of making life extremely different difficult for taliban units, if, as and when they get into the city. To harass or put in our ability to evacuate. We have a large amount of Air Power on tap. And we can target taliban units with great accuracy. And thats one of the things weve told the taliban. Do not mess with our evacuation, because we will make life extremely difficult for you. That is the difference between kabul and 2021, and saigon in 1975. Shannon, really quickly to you. At Camp David, the administration has been fairly quiet. Do we have any sense of whether or not the administration plans to address these developments anytime soon . We did get a lengthy statement from the president yesterday. And the Secretary Of State put out a statement on his call with afghan officials there. We have heard a bit from them. We know the president was briefed at Camp David yesterday. We got a photo of that. That was really the only image. But as far as actually hearing from the president , we dont expect him to have any public events in the coming days. Hes at Camp David. Hes going to travel, we believe, to wilmington, delaware. This is. Orchestration lead the time of president ial vacations. Obviously the president not vacationing while the developments going on here. But at this point, we dont anticipate to hear from the president or have an opportunity to ask him questions on. This at least not today. Shannon at the White House for. Thank. You know i want to bring in Congressman Jake Auchincloss of massachusetts. Also a marine veteran and representative, were so happy to have you with us this morning. Obviously not under the circumstances. You commanded infantry in afghanistan during your time in the marines. So when you see the situation really just devolving, minute by minute, do you question at all the mission you are serving . What go through your . Mind mission you there were two mn afghanistan. The first mission was a Counterterrorism Mission. And that was designed to deny Safe Harbor to terrorists and bring to justice the who Architect Id 9 11. And the Counterterrorism Mission has largely been successful. Some of bin ladens dead and terrorists have not been able to gain a foothold in afghanistan. But under Bush And Rumsfeld and cheney, that other mission morphed into a Counter Insurgency mission. A nation building exercise. And that mission was doomed for failure. We can fight in afghanistan for another century, and the u. S. Military will win every battle against afghanistan, but we would still use lose the war. Because Counter Insurgency requires another solution a political solution. As weve seen with the afghan government, they cannot give us a political solution. Congressman, im curious about this. A couple of days ago you said that afghanistan, the government can actually hold kabul. You see the developments taking place right now. Do you still stand by that . The afghanistan government could have has a sizable numerical authority over the taliban. They have an air force, which so what went wrong . Theyve got a highly sophisticated special operation. What Right Wrong is a complete divorce between afghan leadership and afghan i served with the afghan Unit Police and with afghan allies. They are good fighters. They care about their country. But they have felt so let down by the Corruption And Incompetence of the afghan central government, that morale cratered. And that is a problem of leadership. And then anybody who has been in combat will say, without leadership, you cannot hold the line. This has been a failure of afghan leadership for the last 20 years. And i will say as well, that has been a failure of american national security leadership, to. Because in the Situation Room after Situation Room for the last two decades, people knew that Counter Insurgency could not succeed. And yet, this is the first major achievement of The American but it has dissolved very, very quick. In fact, just a few days ago, u. S. Administration said that they thought kabul would fall in 90 days. So, do you kind of put some blame on the biden administration for failure here in afghanistan . Failure her in President Biden inherited diplomacy by twitter from donald trump, which had arbitrarily set May 1st as a withdrawal deadline. There was only a series of bad options at this point. What wouldve been dishonourable would have been to persist into yet another administration, another war. That is not geostrategic lee significant united states. And that most importantly, cannot be one. The fact that this is happening so quickly, just underscores the reality that even if we stayed for another year. Even if we buttressed the 300,000 force. Even if we got them some airplanes, it would not ultimately have made a difference, because there is not the political will of Leadership And Afghanistan to actually be the taliban. Congressman, im hearing you see essentially a lose lose situation here for the search for the administration. But we do know the world is watching. And we know that right now there is a sentiment on the ground in afghanistan that the u. S. Has abandoned them. What is The Big Picture here of what this looks like in a world where afghanistan is under taliban control . The big picture is america needs to ensure the safety of american personnel. In needs to continue its evacuations of allys, interpreters and, that other afghans who helped the u. S. Military. And we need to use the full scope of our humanitarian diplomatic leverage, to ensure hard won gains, especially for women and girls, are maintained. All right. Congressman jake auchincloss, thank you so much for your time and for your service. Its got to be really troubling though, at The End of the day to see all of this after 20 years. And it seemingly this week. Congressman, thank you for the time. Just want to update everybody on the big Breaking News we have of this morning. It appears that after some 20 years of fighting and afghanistan, it is all coming down to today. Live pictures from kabul. Things seemingly peaceful in the Capital City Of Kabul. We are told that the taliban basically have that city surrounded. But also, the big news that we learned at the top of this hour from our Richard Angle who is there in the capital. He says that the taliban is negotiating with the afghan government for a transition of power. He says also that refugees are flooding to the u. S. Embassy there in the city. In the meantime, there is an all out effort to try to evacuate the embassy there. And of course, we know that u. S. Lawmakers are going to want to know a briefing on the situation and that is actually going to happen later this morning. Theyre getting an unclassified briefing on the situation in afghanistan. Were bringing in julie this morning with the latest. Julie, talk to us about this briefing . What were supposed to learn . What lawmakers are supposed to learn . Learn good Morning Lindsey Ad kendis. Speaker pelosi originally called for a briefing on august 23rd, a day that the house returns from recess. But overnight, she called for a briefing this morning. A sign that the situation in afghanistan is escalating at a faster pace than expected. The briefing having ming later this morning will be bipartisan. It will be held virtually. And that is because members are still at home in their districts. This is the first time that congress will hear from Cabinet Level officials on the situation unfolding in afghanistan. They will be briefed by Secretary Of State, anthony blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd austin, and joint chiefs of milley. Theyll be briefed on this 45 Minute Call later this morning. It will be unclassified, which means is unlikely that new information that the public doesnt know will come out. But it is an opportunity for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle of the house to ask questions. To express their Concern And Demand answers from the administration. This comes of course as vice President Biden issued a statement yesterday, saying he will be deploying an additional 1000 troops to kabul, to help bring americans home from the embassy there. This comes after the pentagon already announced their deployment deploying an additional 3000 troops in the region. Of course were seeing widespread criticism from lawmakers, but on a party line basis. Rob publicans Froms Minority Leader mcconnell, staying consistent to his criticism. He of course once more airstrikes in the region. Other republican lawmakers like Combat Veteran Judy earns blasting the administration for not just the withdrawal that the way that the biden administration withdrew the troops, which he says is no plan. Of course, democrats staying silent. And even those that are expressing some sort of frustration to the situation are being careful as to not blame President Biden for his actions there. Speak to Speaker Pelosi releasing a statement overnight specifically focusing on the humanitarian crisis and women and girls. As the taliban takes over there in the region. Saying, i want to acknowledge the clarity of purpose of President Bidens statement and the wisdom of his actions. Being very careful not to put blame on President Biden. But of course, if lawmakers were here right now and not on recess, we would be chasing them down and demanding their answers on the record. But we will hear what they have to say and will be monitoring that briefing later this morning. Guys . All right, a lot of correctional leaders on both sides of the aisle. They are not happy with the way the situation is developing in afghanistan. Julie, thank you very much. Which we will continue to follow major developments in afghanistan. Well hear reaction from Around The World. Up next, were going to have a live report. Stay with us. With us mission control, we are go for launch. Tminus two minutes and counting. Um, shes eating the rocket. Copy that, shes eating the rocket. I assume we needed that . [chomping sound] lunchables built to be eaten. She has eaten the rocket. [girl burps] over. As someone who resembles Someone Else. I appreciate that Liberty Mutual [girl burps] knows everyones unique. Thats why they customize your car insurance, so you only pay for what you need. [ nautical Horn Blows ] i mean just because you look like Someone Else doesnt mean you eat off the floor, or yell at the vacuum, or need flea medication. Oh, yeah. Thats the spot. Only pay for what you need. Liberty, liberty, liberty, liberty its taken a lot to get to this moment. Grew up at midnight the maccabees dreams are on the line. You got this. Refresh. It all, comes down, to this. History says fine jewelry for occasions. We say forget occasions. snap fine jewelry for every day. Minus the traditional markups. Were mejuri. Handcrafted like the olden day. Designed for the golden days ahead. All right, everybody. We continue to follow Breaking News out of afghanistan. Right now youre looking at a live picture there. It looks like 3 00 in the afternoon there, local time. Weve been seen helicopters flying in out of of the shot. And that is because kabul is surrounded right now by the taliban. Richard engel in our reporting in our last Half Hour. As they continue on with their Power Blitz there in the country. We know that afghan Interior Minister says that the security of the city will be guaranteed and there will be no attack on the city. Of course, colonel jacobs, whatever guests in the last Half Hour said the government cannot really promise that. But of course right now, things do still look quite peaceful per Richard Angles reporting we also know. That afghans are trying to flee the country and are crowding these application centers, just begging to get out on one of those helicopters. And one of those countries afghans have been trying to flee to over the last month has been around. Lets go to tehran right now. Lets go to our Bureau Chief there. Ali, good morning to. You whats the latest from that standpoint . A lot of people are asking for the border with afghanistan and iran to remain open so that these refugees could escape there. Thats right kendis. A can only be described as a desperate exodus of afghan civilians and Security Forces over the Board Border here into iran. Iranians have said that they have set up three makeshift Refugee Camps in three different cities. To facilitate this flow of afghans coming into the country looking for a Safe Haven here. Of course, as you know, there are already millions of Afghan Refugees in iran. Theyre about two and a half million afghans who have been in this country for over 20 years, trying to flee the taliban. Looking for a better life. Most of them are undocumented. And ive got to tell you, its a very difficult life for most afghans that live here in iran. They have to do menial jobs. They get paid very little. They have no benefits, no medical care. Their Children Cant get educated. They have to leave their homes and families behind in afghanistan. But is still a better option for them to come to see Rand Van Stay in afghanistan. Which just shows how desperate the situation is for them. And of course, the government here in iran is also benefiting from the chaos thats unfolding in afghanistan. There was an extraordinary Video Yesterday showing the afghan Security Forces pouring across the border into iran, using the hurdles and equipment. No doubt provided by the united states which the iranian Defense Ministry is very happy to get their hands on. So, a desperate situation for the afghans. But iran also happy that this is a blow to the united states. Blow to the u ali ali, i wano you all so about the world watching and what this means. The World Reaction that were seeing. We talked yesterday with meghan in london about how other countries are looking at the u. S. Right now. Do you have any reporting from other countries and how theyre reacting to it . I do. Especially i want to point out in qatar. Qatar has been Brokering Talks for the last few years between the taliban and the united states. They issued a Statement Today saying that the taliban should stop its offensive. They should engage in a ceasefire. And theyre not going to support any government in afghanistan that takes over by force. They had a meeting with the taliban and u. S. And Uk Representatives on thursday. But the reality is its not going to bear much fruit. Those talks with the taliban. That delegation, that was in qatar have returned to afghanistan for this transition of power. These are all all those talks that were going on for years, the taliban was basically biding its time for this day. Until they could take over. The uk has also expressed deep regret over what is going on there. But the reality is, most western powers are probably going to leave afghanistan to its own fate. Ali, obviously you know the region and the dynamics taking place over there. Next month will be 20 years since we were attacked by a group that formed itself right there in the neighboring afghanistan. Do you feel as if, once and if the Out Taliban takes control from a political standpoint, afghanistan yet again will have a friend in the government . The new government of iran . Its a very tricky question. Iran and afghanistan are ideologically opposed to each other. They are sunni, iran isha. They have a who huge gulf of difference between them. But iran share a long, porous border with afghanistan. As i mentioned, there are millions of Afghan Refugees in iran. So, they have to balance things very carefully with the taliban. And very interesting lee, in the years past, iran was very critical of the taliban. But the statements you are seeing today coming out from the iranian government is giving them an error of legitimacy. They are talking about and islamic emirate rather than the taliban. Which means they are accepting them. They know they are forced to be reckoned with in the country. And i dont think iran wants to open up another front of tension. So, i think they are going to try and see how far they can come along with the taliban. How much influence they can garner in that country now that theres a vacuum of power from the u. S. And the west. So yes, its going to be tricky. But i think iran is going to try to do its best to come to terms with the taliban, because it would ultimately benefit them. Yes, it all comes back to that whole my the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Ali joining us from tehran. Thank you elie. Were going to go back to live pictures here Of Kabul right now. Because we have new reporting here from our Sky News Chief correspondent, Screw Store Ramsey who is live. He explains right now that he is seen a parade of taliban members, or at least 11 supporters. And theyre marching on a Nearby Street near the president ial palace In Kabul. And theyre carrying a White Flag. Candace, is unclear if this is a blank White Flag or were working on getting images of that. But also the taliban flag is white with black Lettering On. But we do know there are a lot of live developments happening right now, including that reporting from Sky News Chief talking about a parade of taliban members marching on the streets near the palace. Where those negotiations are taking place for a transition, albeit temporary, transition of power. , Transition Owhile some of E Information that might be sporadic, this is a fairly big city. The city Of Kabul. It is about 400 square miles larger than new york city. But we do know at this point that the city Of Kabul is surrounded. But we are getting these different reports that taliban members have been seen throughout the streets of the city. You see a helicopter right there flying. We have seen several of those. I have noticed it for stand while watching some of these monitors. Some have fired off some players. Colonel jacobs said that might just have been a precautionary thing. A safety thing. So far we havent had any reports of ground to air fire. All right, we are going to continue monitoring this. We will be bringing new details here in the coming minutes. But we also want to get to the other Breaking News Around The World. And that is in haiti. Because we do know of course, they were hit yesterday by a mega 7. 2 magnitude earthquake. We know that the Death Toll keeps rising. Weve heard in the three hundreds already. Upwards of 1000, nearly 2000 were injured. So that Death Toll is expected to climb. And theres so many aftershocks. As you can see, more than a dozen of them so far. That 7. 2 Magnitude Quake that you mentioned, that is stronger than the wellknown 2010 quake that struck haiti and killed more than 200,000 people. Part of the reason for that was because it was centered near the capital, portauprince. This one as you can see was to the west of the country, but it was felt as far away as south florida. As well as in kingston, jamaica. You mention near the capitol, about 80 miles west there. Its in a rural region. Thats hard to get to right now because the roadways, average as weve been reporting over the weekend, are riddled with Gang Activity right now. We want to go ahead to our reporter there who is in cuba, nearby. Ed augustin. And, what are you doing . I know yesterday when we talked you spoke with a friend who was in the capitol who is doing all right. But still did feel the tremors. Theyre more are we learning learning about the magnitude of the devastation . Learning about the magnitude n havana. But in haiti The Sun is now rising. That means that the Rescue Effort is going to be intensifying. Lighting is a problem in haiti. The capital, portauprince, Rescue Efforts throughout the night so. Today, we can expect that the Rescue Efforts to carry on. Yesterday we saw professional Rescue Workers and even more citizens pulling friends, relatives, neighbors, people they dont know, out of the rubble. And that will continue today. Meanwhile, the International Community are gearing up for a humanitarian response. There are already a brigade of 253 cuban doctors in haiti. Whos been helping the country wiTh Covid. Those doctors were yesterday, treating people outside in hospitals around the country. Many of those doctors and nurses are heading south to the Disaster Zone to help people. President biden yesterday, authorize Emergency Response from the usaid. And the u. S. Is gonna be sending a Disaster Assistance Response team. Many latin american countries have also said theyre going to help. Ecuador, peru, venezuela, spanish prime minister pedro sanchez. Said spain can be counted on. Were going to see in the coming days where theyre not the humanitarian aid itself, promised by the socalled International Community, materializes. We should say that the dominican republic, which shares a border with haiti on the island, is also sending medicine and food. But that humanitarian aid might be complicated because of fortunately, for haiti and the survivors of this terrible earthquake, tropical Storm Greece is nearing the island. And that is feared to be crossing the island late on monday. And that can only complicate is going to be an already complicated Rescue Effort. Certainly. All right ed. Very difficult images there out of haiti. Well continue to check in with you throughout the day to see how things progress. Thank you so. Much lets go back to afghanistan. A major development that just came in right now. A person familiar tells Nbc News that the u. S. Embassy In Kabul will be closing once all personnel are transferred out and have been they have been intense negotiations for safe passage of all those personnel. We have thousands and thousands of troops that have been moved into this region within the last 24 to 72 hours. And their effort has been to evacuate that embassy. And now were getting Word And Confirmation from a person familiar that the u. S. Embassy In Kabul will be closed once all personnel are transferred out. Those evacuations eminent. As you can see there on the screen and afghanistan. This is a really big deal. That embassy there is one of the biggest around. And its not just one building, by the way. It houses the ambassadors residence. There are also embassies for other countries, including finland, that are behind the walls of the u. S. Embassy there. It houses many, many people. And for it to be closing once personnel are out, is significant. What does that say for many of the afghans who are desperately trying to get out of there after The Americans around . Yes, i mean they are Flooding Offices right now In Kabul trying to get out. Many of them saying we worked with the u. S. Military. There is going to be a target on all of our backs. You have to please help get us out. Of course, it is very complicated effort as our Richard Engel reported. A lot of these forms, first of all are in english. They have limited staff are able to help them. Although theyre still trying to evacuate this embassy here. Just to capture everybody up to speed on whats happening while were talking about the taliban, has entered the Capital City Of Kabul. They are negotiating a peaceful surrender of the city there with the afghan government. Negotiating a temporary transition of power. At least, they say its temporary. This is a huge escalation here just a couple of weeks before the u. S. Is supposed to completely drawdown its u. S. Forces. And the administration has admitted that the timing here has really surprise everybody. That the taliban really gained ground here in this country faster than anybody expected. It really has been lightning speed. How quickly they have taken over city after city. Just today we are talking about kandahar falling. Hours later, jalalabad. One of the biggest cities i think, as well. And just a few hours ago, they surrounded the city Of Kabul. But decided instead, that they werent going to take the city by force. But in said they wanted to negotiate some sort of agreement. What were being told at this hour that there is a negotiation that is taking place. It is taking place at the president ial palace there In Kabul. It is not clear if the afghan president , who is hated by many people, is actually taking part in that negotiation. But it is taking place at this hour. Kendis there, are other developments were watching as well. For example, Sky News is reporting that the Chief Correspondent on the ground there is seeing a parade of taliban members, or at least supporters. They are marching on a street In Kabul. Very close to the president ial palace carrying a White Flag. Unclear whether its a White Flag or the taliban flag with the white and black Lettering On it. This is obviously a major development here in afghanistan. A major development for the world. We know that the talibans and oh across the country in trying to gain ground has been essentially to pick up more followers and supporters with each province that they take. There have been letting prisons out and the prisoners have been joining the ranks. And thats been one of the troubling things. Lets go to our Pentagon Correspondent right now. Courtney, there are several developments and want to talk to about. Were seeing these pictures were we constantly see these helicopters flying there. But were now being told that the u. S. Is planning to pull out all u. S. Personnel from u. S. Embassy In Kabul within 72 hours. In 7 hours. What we have seen so far, kendis, is the u. S. Embassy personnel, many of them have been closing up shop and moving to the airport. And the situation has been developing so rapidly that everyone needs a stop and take a step back and see where we are. U. S. Military officials say that there have been reports of some sporadic gunfire. At this, point they are not looking at this as some major Taliban Offensive that has moved into the city. The question is, why is this . There are reports and again, it is reports are happening very quickly. So i want to cover everything by saying there are some reports the taliban may be talking to the afghan government. The u. S. Military is not confirming that this point. They just dont know. The u. S. Is continuing to flow more troops Into Kabul to help with the evacuation of the u. S. Embassy personnel and any afghans who may be eligible for special immigrant visa process. We know that yesterday, the president announced there would be additional troops. Theyre sending another battalion. There will not be roughly 5000 u. S. Troops on the ground In Kabul, concentrated around the airport and at the embassy there. Working on this evacuation mission. At this point, even with these developments that weve been seeing in the past several hours, the u. S. Military mission will continue to be this evacuation of both u. S. And afghans civilians who are eligible to leave. So from that perspective, the administration has not changed. Its also worth pointing out what has changed in the last 24 hours. One major development has been the fall of jalalabad. And also the fall of provinces. Those are neighboring, right around kabul. The taliban in the last several days but particularly in the last 24 hours, have really been able to surround and isolate kabul. From the military perspective, this offensive throughout the country has worked not only very quickly, but it has worked very efficiently. And it has been a very strong and in a word, a masterful military strategy. They have worked from the outskirts of the country Into Kabul. As they have moved through, they have been taking over equipment that the Afghan Military had, in many cases gotten from the u. S. And from nato allies. Theyve been rolling up that equipment and gathering the fighters, emptying the presence. So, as the afghans have been folding and falling back, the taliban have been moving and strengthening as they go. So, from a military perspective, this offensive has really been remarkable to watch as they roll through. But again, the big news this morning, it appears that the taliban are not only at the gates Of Kabul. Some sporadic elements may have made their way into the city. And were just watching to see whats going to happen in the coming hours. s going to happen in Th Co courtney this obviously the question thats gonna be on everybodys mind. But you just mapped the mo of the taliban and how theyve been able to really surround and isolate couple as you said. Moved from the outskirts, rural areas into more urban cities. Taking equipment provided by the u. S. And nato. Empty in the presence. If this was their mo in each province as theyre going along, why was that the Afghan Military better equipped, for example, maybe adding extra security through the prisons . Maybe they were and it still isnt enough. More bbc at least wanted to keep things as peaceful as possible to prevent civilian lives lost. But have any of your sources have any indication of where the breakdown was here . The afghans decided about a month or six weeks ago, that they knew this Taliban Offensive was coming. They decided that they were going to consolidate the military back to the court areas. The more strategic areas that they needed to defend. So if you look at every single province, the reality is they decided that they were not going to try to embark on a strong defense of every single capital and every single province. Some of those more rural areas that fell very early on and very quickly, it was because they just did not have an Afghan Military defense there that was ready to defend. It was been surprising though is some of the stronger provinces where the Afghan Military not only was prepared and was planning to try to protect the areas and the capitals. But they actually sent in reinforcements, including the very capable commandoes and special operators. They were sent into some of the provinces ate like Kandahar City down in the south, herat in the west, and they still were not able to fend off the Taliban Offensive. In some cases it was because the Afghan Military was just overrun, the commandoes were just exhausted. They were worn down after weeks and months of heavy fighting. And they just were able to stop it. I think that the case going forward, once we get the smoke cleared and we see whats actually happening over the coming days, weeks and probably months, one of the narratives here is going to be why did the Afghan Military fall so quickly . There has been some assessment among u. S. Military officials ive spoken with that it was an issue of motivation and the will to fight. That they just didnt have that. There are some who believe that was u. S. Denounced announce they were completely leaving, nato partners fell in line, and a citizen was made that there were not going to get international Military Support there in the country, that the Afghan Military began to fracture than. So, this is been happening over the past several months. And then at that point it became the afghans were not going to fight. Then it was left to these special elite operators and commandoes, and they just couldnt do it. But again, i really think we Cant Underscore enough how strong the taliban have been as they push through. Because they have, as the Afghan Military has fallen and weekend, the taliban have really strengthened. So, theyve had this momentum that is remarkable to watch. All of the Military Assessments they are changing not daytoday, the u. S. Military that is, they are changing hour by hour from how quickly the taliban will push through these areas. And how quickly they will be able to take them. In many cases, including jalalabad, which we are just talking about. Right near kabul. They met almost no resistance. From the Afghan Military. Thats whats really been striking and really blown all these Military Assessments for how this would fall. Its blowing them all out of the water. Lowing them all out of courtney, have you been to kabul in afghanistan . Idle yes. I dont know if you have access to the light footage. Yes, ive been there many times. Ive seen some of the light footage. I know were were seeing some helicopters, chinook helicopters. Theyre moving people very quickly from the Embassy Area and the support headquarters. Its about a four Mile Drive from the embassy to the airport. They are moving them there. And its also important, i think a lot of our viewers may not have a good sense of exactly what it means to move to the airport. For years, the u. S. Military has had a base at kabul airport. They called a and there is an infrastructure that exists there that these military and Embassy Personnel can move in on. And for all intents and purposes, the International Airport has is heavily inside and has its military side. So, it is while it is i dont mean to downplay how dangerous the situation is right now for americans for their. But they can theoretically work there for some time. The other big question that we have to ask ourselves is, even when the taliban are really moving in, one of the biggest concerns that were hearing over the past several days is that they would make their way directly to the airport to try to take the airport. And essentially stop any movement in and out. That doesnt seem to be happening at this point. Again, the u. S. Military has troops there on the ground, who will be working in addition to some turkish forces and some british forces. Who will be working to secure that airport to try to stop that from happening. O try to sto that fro according. While you are speaking there was a plume of support smoke. Some people have speculated it could be americans burning different materials. Have no idea. But its a fairly large city as you mentioned. Really great getting your perspective. Particularly of the Lay Out There of couple. Yes, courtney if you can, stick around for us. Were going to keep coming to you over the next hour to get as your schedule permits. But were going to go ahead and bring in hes the author of the 20year war. Then, as you watch the images that were seeing on our screen there and were talking about a complete Fall Afghanistan to the taliban being a minute. Not just a question of if, rather when. A matter of hours, or at this point, it isnt likely days. What is going through your mind . What is going through your mindo afghanistan three times, its pretty difficult to see. My last rotation was in 2011. And i couldve never guessed that this wouldve lasted another ten years. I dont think Anybody Couldve projected that when we first started. I think it was in 2001. But the fact that it has fallen to the taliban, this i think has shocked a lot of people. To a lot of the Veteran Community have been talking to, they feel like something has been left. That they maybe have something that they should have looked harder for or lingering a little bit more for the afghanis. But to them, there is nothing we couldve done. You did exactly your job. You did what they were supposed to do. Providing the Safety And Security to the Afghan Population. Even if you only provided a, a week, a month, a year, several years, a Safety And Security, you absolutely did your job. So dont second Guess Anything you did. Dan, i wonder as you look at these pictures, whether you as a former veteran as a veteran think it was worth it . 20 years, two trillion dollars, more than 2000 american lives lost right there. Countless others, afghan lives. Was this worth it . An lives absolutely. I dont think you could be better than somebody who volunteer to serve in the u. S. Military, especially post 9 11. We knew what we are getting into. Well battles we were getting into. Ultimately, what we were there for was providing the Safety And Security for the Afghan Population, to push back the taliban and cut the ability of Terror Sue For Flourish in the country. Who really had free rein in that region. If you think the last 20 years, you havent had any very significant attack on the u. S. Since weve been established in afghanistan. So, i say its absolutely worth it. Weve seen a lot more stabilization in the Around The World since weve been in afghanistan. What the future holds, i dont know. Then, on that note, we only have about a minute left with you. But youve been on the ground there. You fall off the taliban. Youve talked with locals there. What are the people up against . We know that theyve been crowding these centers. Theyre begging to get a. What are they up against now this new world. Or who knows really what it looks like . Its going to be incredibly difficult. Its really going to be up to the Afghan Population to see if they are going to align immediately with the taliban or are they going to conform to their ideals and their extreme forms of islam . Or are they going to push back and try to take over their country . Its really difficult to know what theyre going to do in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. I just hope that our international allies come together and comes up with a plan. Either its going to be a humanitarian crisis were dealing with. Or we have to have some sort of Military Action to really take over the country again. All right, then blakely. Veteran and author of the 20year war. Thank you for your time this morning as we talk about these jawdropping developments. Thank you, dan. Appreciate it. We are nearing the top of the hour right here on msnbc as we continue to watch these live pictures coming from the city Of Kabul. A city that is right now encircled by the taliban. By some reports, the taliban have been spotted within the streets of the city. There are reports that negotiations are taking place within the president ial palace there in the Capital City. Its not clear if Ashraf Ghani who is taking part of those negotiations. Also, we got word on that power will be transferred to a thirdparty, a temporary thirdparty soon. And we also know from our courtney kubes reporting there is gunfire in the kabul region. Its not characteristic of an allout offensive. Reports are there will be a peaceful transition there of at least temporary power here. We do know that the u. S. Is going to be sending another battalion there to get troops out of the embass