Tahoe. Thanks for being here. Developing at this hour. President biden will soon address the nation after the u. S. Ended its longest war. The last u. S. Military flights left kabul one minute before the August 31st deadline. Here is what will become an iconic image of this chaotic exit. The last u. S. Soldier out. Major general Chris Donahue, last u. S. Boots on the ground in afghanistan as he was boarding the last c17 out of kabul. The 20 years of war there costing trillions of dollars but most importantly claiming more than 2400 american lives, including 13 Service Members killed in the Terror Attack at Kabul Airport last week. Over the last few weeks, the u. S. And its allies pulled off a major feat, evacuating 123,000 people but it was not entirely complete. Between 100 and 200 americans are believed to still be in afghanistan and they want out along with thousands of afghan allies that america promised to protect. The taliban is celebrating americas departure. [ sound of gunfire
I just this is such a symbolic moment for this White House. And for this president. Obviously you hit it at the biggest point here. The president has delivered on a Campaign Promise to get the united states out of its longest war despite concerns about what the fallout would be. Despite concerns about repercussions. That has happened. We saw the last flight leave. And now the president has to talk about what happens next. Before he does that, i think he needs to answer several key questions im told will be a key component of the speech today. That is what The American presence or efforts in afghanistan are going forward particularly giveren the fact there are still more than 100 american citizens that want to leave the country that are still on the ground. There are hundreds if not thousands of afghan allies who wanted to leave the country who are on the ground. We heard from the secretary of state. Tony blinken laying out the diplomatic efforts and process the u. S. Is launching and g
The last american flights departed kabul, afghanistan less than 24 hours ago. the pentagon tweeting out the photo of the last american soldier to leave the country. major general chris donahugh. the state department estimates 100 to 200 americans who wanted to leave afghanistan did not get out. and neither did thousands of afghan allies who risked their lives to help the united states during the 20 -year war. while president biden will likely say that he followed through on his pledge to end the costly war, his foreign policy legacy will also be defined by the chaotic evacuation effort. and, of course, a brutal terror attack just five days ago that killed 13 u.s. service members and injured nearly two dozen others. cnn s phil mattingly is standing by at the white house with more ahead of the president s very important remarks. phil, what are you hearing about the president s speech?