Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


What We Know: Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan

VOA News

   Here are the latest developmentsfollowing the Taliban's takeover of
   Afghanistan on August 15.

   Saturday, August 21

   *Taliban leaders are still conducting internal talks and meeting with
   former rivals on forming what they have promised will be an "inclusive
   Islamic government."

   * Taliban officials said on Saturday they expect to announce
   theframework for theformation of thenew government soon.

   * Insurgent group's spokesman, quoting senior leader Shahabuddin
   Dilawar, saidtheTaliban want a "strong central system that respects the
   rule of law, is free from corruptionandevery citizen has the
   opportunity to serve his country and people."

   *As the Taliban take control of the Afghan government, women say they
   are fearful for their future, with many skeptical of the Islamist
   group's pledges to respect women's rights.

   * The U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued a security warning Saturday,
   advising Americans not to go to the airport without "individual
   instructions from a U.S. government representative," noting possible
   security threats posed by the Islamic State outside the airport gates.

   * The German Embassy issued a similar warning, saying Taliban forces
   were conducting increasingly strict controls in the area.

   * The security threats have prompted the U.S. military to come up with
   ways to get evacuees to the airport, a U.S. official said Saturday,
   according to The Associated Press.

   * One possible solution would involve small groups gathering at
   specific points where the U.S. military would pick them up, the source
   said.

   * Afghans who fled their country this week have spoken about their
   despair at leaving loved ones behind and the uncertain future ahead of
   them after the Taliban's rapid takeover.

   * "The most disturbing part is that there is not a lot of hope for the
   future," said one man, who arrived in Doha this week with his wife,
   three children, parents and two sisters.

   * The Qatarigovernment is hosting thousands of evacuees until they can
   enter a third country.

   * The Taliban advance has led to a mass evacuation of Afghans and
   foreigners amid fears of reprisals and a return to a harsh
   interpretation of Islamic law.

   Friday, August 20

   * Despite earlier reports that Turkey had dropped plans to secure
   Kabul's international airport, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
   said Friday that Turkey is ready to talk with the Taliban about what
   role, if any, Turkey would play in Afghanistan.

   * U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
   of Staff General Mark Milley, who both deployed in Afghanistan,saidthe
   scenes unfolding in Afghanistan, as citizens frantically tried to get
   out of the country and escape the new Taliban rule, were tough for
   them, and other veterans,to watch.

   *"All of this is very personal for me. This is a war that I fought in
   and led. I know the country, I know the people, and I know those who
   fought alongside me," Austin said.

   * "As the secretary[Austin]said, for both he and I, this is personal.
   And I know it's personal foreach and everyone of you," Milley said.

.