Deep Dive (Aug. 23): Evacuation Efforts in Afghanistan Continue Amid Looming Aug. 31 Deadline

Chaotic scenes are coming out of Kabul a week after the Taliban takeover. Desperation is rising on the ground as thousands try and flee the country. And a firefight broke out Monday morning when a sniper started shooting at Afghan security forces helping secure the base—killing one of them. Lt. Col. Tripp Adams, who was part of the “#afghanevac” group, said, “If we’re leaving by the 31st, we will not get out all the Americans we need to, and we absolutely won’t get out all of our allies who served with us for 20 years.” President Joe Biden says there are discussions about extending the Aug. 31 deadline—and two U.S. defense officials say the U.S. military is establishing “alternative routes” to the Kabul airport. Group of Seven (G–7) leaders are scheduled to hold a virtual meeting Tuesday to talk about the situation.

Holiday shopping in August? There are calls to start holiday shopping early this year due to the shipping crisis. The shortage of products amid the pandemic is leading to fewer choices and a higher cost. The latest issue—a China terminal shutdown because of a positive CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus case—is causing bottlenecks and delays for other shipping lines. There’s also a truck driver shortage in the United States and in the United Kingdom. As a result, air terminals are also receiving excessive freight.