A pair of bombs exploded outside the Kabul airport on Thursday, taking the lives of 12 U.S. service members along with a reported 60 Afghans. Over 100 more are said to have been wounded in the blast, with some of those injured being treated by U.S. forces at the airport. The blast temporarily halted the ongoing evacuation of American citizens and allies from Afghanistan, but on Thursday afternoon, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie held a press briefing in which he discussed what was known about the explosions and the ongoing threat from terrorist group ISIS-K.

Expectations are that President Biden will make a statement at 5 PM ET, then White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki will take questions. Daily Kos will follow this press event as it happens.

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:57:13 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden showed empathy, displayed determination to track down those involved in the bombing, took responsibility for the evacuation, directed stirring praise at the all-volunteer military, and stuck by his determination to end the war. Not sure what else could be expected. A fine job in a tough situation.

YouTube Video

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:25:29 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

For those of you watching along: You’re not wrong in thinking that the conversation at the Washington Post is one of the most ridiculous exchanges possible.

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:28:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden says the service members who lost their lives were heroes, heroes engaged in a selfless effort to rescue over 100,000. “They’re what I call the backbone of America. They’re the spine of America.”

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:29:59 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden, as expected, turns to his own loses to emphasize his sympathy for the families of the service members lost today. 

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:30:34 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden addressing those who carried out this attack. “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:32:02 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden once again draws attention to how the danger of the mission in Afghanistan is directly related to the need for limiting the length of the mission. 

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:32:36 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden says he has instructed the military to develop plans to strike at ISIS-K “at a time and place of our own choosing.” 

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:35:13 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden strikes a powerful chord as he references the Book of Isiah when thinking about the volunteers in the military who have said, “Here I am, send me!” Then holds a moment of silence for those lost. “We have so much to do, and we have the capacity to do it. We just have to remain steadfast. Steadfast.”

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:37:28 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden goes to Q&A.

First question is to whether Biden will send additional forces to Afghanistan. Biden says he has told the military that whatever they need he will grant it, included additional forces. But the military has said the best way to complete the evacuation is to continue on the current schedule.

Biden says they have a good idea of some of the ISIS-K leaders, and will fine them “without a large military operation … wherever they are.”

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:39:25 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden is asked about the need to depend on the Taliban. Points to what Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said at earlier press event — it’s in the interest of the Taliban both to push back against ISIS-K and seeing that the U.S. can complete its evacuation on time. Says Taliban is acting in their own interest by cooperating with the United States. “No one trusts them. We’re just counting on their self-interest.”

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:40:18 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden says there is no evidence so far of any collusion between the Taliban and ISIS.

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:44:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden is asked about prolonging the stay considering the threat. Replies that “what America says matters,” and that it’s important to see that American citizens, green card holders, SIV applications, NGOs, and others get out before the evacuation ends. Says that there should be “numerous opportunities” to get others out of Afghanistan after August 31, including through potential cooperation with the Taliban. “They’re not good guys, the Taliban, but they have keen interests.” Biden points out that the Taliban has needs to keep the economy running, keep the airport open, etc. making it in their interest to assist the U.S. in getting people out.

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:46:41 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden says there are “millions of Afghan citizens who are not Taliban” who would “be on a plane tomorrow” if they could be. Makes it clear that not everyone who wants to get out is sure to get out, but that Afghans who cooperated with the U.S. will have an opportunity to leave.

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:50:32 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden asked about Bagram Air Base. Multiple media outlets have seized on the idea that Bagram would have been an easier site to manage evacuations than Kabul. Biden says it was the universal response of military leaders that Bagram had little value.

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:52:07 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden pushed back against a claim that no American had lost their life in Afghanistan since 2020, pointing out that it was the result of the deal with the Taliban, and that if he had ignored that deal there would be an active war between the U.S. and Taliban for no definable reason. “I have never been of the view that we should be sacrificing American lives to try to establish a democratic government in Afghanistan.”

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:53:59 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

“If Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda had launched their attack out of Saudi Arabia or Yemen, would we have ever gone to Afghanistan?” … “Our interest in going was to prevent al Qaeda from reemerging and to get bin Laden. … Ladies and gentlemen, it was time to end a twenty year war.”

Thursday, Aug 26, 2021 · 9:57:13 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Biden showed empathy, displayed determination to track down those involved in the bombing, took responsibility for the evacuation, and stuck by his determination to end the war. Not sure what else could be expected.