Nbc nightly news with lester holt good evening, everyone president biden announced late today that the u. S. Is on pace to finish the removal of u. S. Citizens and military troops from afghanistan by the august 31st deadline the president, however, leaving the door open to stay longer, acknowledging contingency planning is under way the u. S. Tonight caught between the proverbial rock and hard place on one side, the enormous challenge of getting the last of americans safely out while at the same time demobilizing the last of our troops there. On the other side, the risk of renewed conflict with the taliban and potential terror attacks tonight, the pace of evacuation flights is picking up, but will it be quick enough as the clock winds down peter alexander has late details. Reporter: tonight with the frantic rush to evacuate stranded americans and desperate afghans and despite please from g7 allies to stay longer, president biden is sticking with his selfimposed august 31st deadline for
Depends upon the taliban continuing to let us sxrat no disruptions to our operations. The longer we stay, starting with the acute and growing risk of an attack by a terrorist group known as isis k, we know that isis k is seeking to target the airport and attack both u. S. And allied forces and innocent civilians. Those remarks came nearly five hours after the original scheduled air time which was noon today. The president add, he s asked the state department and the pentagon to draw up contingency plans as they do in case there was a need address the timetable here. Biden said he gave our european allies and the g7 the very same message. Le wanted the president to extend the mission past 31 august. They have asked to step up evacuations. Today just today about 12,000 people were flown out. Since the 14th of august, over 70,000 have been evacuated. There is still some question about the number of americans still in the country. Biden has asked secretary of state antony blinken to have a
There s really no way to overstate his influence not only on the stones but on the history of the music we love. Yeah, this is a great song choice. This is early stones get off my cloud, charlie watts, he was 80 years old. We got word weeks ago he wouldn t be out on the fall tour. Knew he wasn t in good health. He was so influential hearing from paul mccartney, and elton john and ringo starr, and the funny thing about me always was to me and most people, he really was an understated jazz drummer. He later had a jazz orchestra. That was his first passion, but in 1962 and 63 he met up with mic jagger and keith richards and signed up for this gig where mic jagger is projecting and peacocking to 80,000 people in wembley stadium. Charlie s expressionless, keeping the beat as if he was in the basement of a jazz club somewhere, so truly one of the greats, the long time, nearly 60 years with the rolling stones. The great charlie watts died yesterday at 80 years old. And rhythm sections of roc
To follow up quickly is. There an education camp, information sent in to stakeholder as cross the country that may have some concern sorry. Domestically here in states? yes. Yes. We re in touch with governors, local authorities, communities, engaging with local media. There s an understanding of the stringent process that we have in place before individuals come to the united states. And i think a part of that is a reminder that these are individuals that fought alongside the united states over the last 20 years. That s part of who we are as a country. Part of the fabric of the united states. So that s part of it as well. In terms of a specific vetting components, we re thinking about that and ensuring we re communicating that effectively. That s our objective. Go ahead. Can you share more about the possible incidents of havana syndrome that the vice president has talked about? sure. I ll say that the vice president is now in country, in vietnam. Certainly we take very seriously let me
Taliban leaders. The most significant meeting between the demonstration in th taliban since it took control o afghanistan nearly two weeks ago. Thousands of afghans at this hour are flooding the kabul airport in a desperate plea to leave the country. The humanitarian crisis, in the chaos unfolding there angry in our u. S. Who met today with biden mutually for a g7 conference. General jack all standing by with first the white house correspondent with a very lates from 1600 pennsylvania. Good afternoon to you, guys. We have learned that president biden will keep the august 31st withdrawal deadline according t u. S. Officials who spoke with our lucas thomason at the pentagon. For that to happen, they say that the military withdrawal will have to begin by this friday in order to meet that deadline just one week from today. Making it pretty unclear who will protect the last americans who are making their way out al the way up until that deadline as well as afghan refugees able to get on pla