this is bbc news. our top stories for you. chaos and panic at kabul airport as thousands of people desperately try to flee the capital of afghanistan — reports say several people died in the mayhem. as armed taliban fighters patrol the streets and enter the presidential palace, afghanistan's ambassador to the un calls for peace. iurge i urge all parties to protect lives and make sure humanitarian needs can be met. presidentjoe biden is due to address the nation on the crisis in afghanistan shortly —

he arrived in washington two hours ago after cutting his vacation short. today, malala yousafzai says the us president must take hold steps to protect the afghans. in our other main news today, a one minute silence is held in plymouth, to remember the five people killed in last week's mass shooting. and double jabbed people in england and northern ireland will no longer have to isolate if they've come into contact with someone with covid. and it's a dramatic final day in the test match between england and india, as india win by 151 runs.

good evening. there have been chaotic scenes at kabul airport as desperate afghans tried to flee the country — by hanging on to departing aircraft, after the taliban's final takeover yesterday. several people are reported to have been killed. american forces fired into the air to disperse crowds attempting to force their way onto planes. in the centre of kabul, there's been an uneasy calm, as armed insurgents flying the taliban flag patrol the streets. us and uk troops are engaged in evacuating their citizens — although all military and civilian flights have been halted because of the crowds. meanwhile, the international community is trying to define its response to the taliban's lightning—speed victory. ourfirst report tonight is from our south asia correspondent, secunder kermani. running for their lives, frantically trying to escape afghanistan on this us military plane.

this is how desperate some afghans are to leave the country. a handful tragically clinging on even after take—off, before falling to their deaths. foreign nationals — and some afghans — are being evacuated, but huge crowds gathered after rumours even those without visas could travel. gunfire outside the airport, even more chaos. taliban members firing in the air to assert their authority, trying to keep control. despite the dangers, some residents still risking their lives to try and get inside. the group has promised an amnesty to those with links to the government, but many still fear they'll be targeted by the militants.

inside the airport, american forces fired into the air, too. panic there, as a number of people died. us officials said they were assessing what happened, but couldn't confirm details. i just saw with my eyes three people, but there's more people, maybe. it's a very, very bad situation and people are in chaos. no—one is quite sure what comes next in afghanistan, though it's clear the taliban are in charge. their members are out in force, patrolling in vehicles seized from government security forces. "we're preventing looters and thieves from harming the people," says this fighter. the group has also reportedly been demanding all weapons are handed over to them. the unravelling of the state has come at a pace many are still struggling to comprehend. now it will be the taliban who decide what direction the country takes.

we want to have an inclusive islamic government. so, by that, we mean all afghans have also participation in that government. so, of course, that needs a little bit of time and deliberation and talks. the terror and panic at the airport today, an awful ending to two decades of international efforts to rebuild this country. for all its fractures and rampant corruption, afghanistan had also seen fragile progress. the future for its people is now deeply uncertain. secunder kermani, bbc news. the bbc�*s malik mudassir who's still in kabul was there to see it — it was like the grimmest scene i have ever seen in kabul in the last ten years.

i could see thousands of people walking towards airport barefoot with their family and children, and they were there from last night as well. there were families i could see on the pavement. they were with their belongings and they didn't have any travel documents like tickets or passport or visa, and they were just pushing themselves towards the airport gate. and the airport gate was controlled by the taliban and they were shooting towards them directly almost. and the thing is, like, each afghan just wants to leave this country and they don't know how to go out. the only passage they could see, this airfield. they were trying to get in. they were climbing the walls of the airport and the taliban were trying to stop them. and it was like a chaotic scene, especially with the children and the females. it's 20 years since the taliban was toppled by the us,

who blamed them after 9/11 for harbouring osama bin laden and other al-qaeda figures. the militants say they have changed since last being in power. back then, they established sharia law and denied rights to women. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet looks now at how the taliban is likely to govern this time — and how the world might engage with them. step—by—step, a return to rule. ever since the taliban assigned a role last year, they have been emboldened. moments like this started to shift their international image. then suddenly, this summer. district by district, they were back in charge. scenes of an orderly transition, the taliban taking over, taking care of the people. but more

grisly videos have been surfacing, too. of alleged abuses and atrocities. what you say to those who fear the return of the taliban? they should not fear. the government that will_ they should not fear. the government that will come after this, will be acceptable to all.— acceptable to all. dramatically different to — acceptable to all. dramatically different to the _ acceptable to all. dramatically different to the one _ acceptable to all. dramatically different to the one they - acceptable to all. dramatically - different to the one they governed so harshly in the late 1990s. we've reported on the change, however imperfect and incomplete, over the last two decades. no one expecting their lives could be served suddenly shattered. afghans, especially women, now fearing they will lose everything they gained. somebody has to seak u - , everything they gained. somebody has to speak up, because _ everything they gained. somebody has to speak up, because it's _ everything they gained. somebody has to speak up, because it's time - everything they gained. somebody has to speak up, because it's time that - to speak up, because it's time that they understand that women won't be silenced~ _ they understand that women won't be silenced. today it's my education, tomorrow— silenced. today it's my education, tomorrow it's going to be my daughter's education. my political rights _ daughter's education. my political rights are — daughter's education. my political rights are not taken away. tomorrow

it is going _ rights are not taken away. tomorrow it is going to— rights are not taken away. tomorrow it is going to be my daughter's. i have _ it is going to be my daughter's. i have to — it is going to be my daughter's. i have to put — it is going to be my daughter's. i have to put up a fight to date so that the — have to put up a fight to date so that the next generation doesn't have _ that the next generation doesn't have to — that the next generation doesn't have to face all this conflict. and afghanistan's — have to face all this conflict. fific afghanistan's neighbours are anxious, too. the fate of this landlocked country affects them all. to the north, central asian states know how easily extremism crosses borders, reaching russia, too. iran knows afghans will flee its way and any instability will spill into pakistan, too, and far beyond. 50 pakistan, too, and far beyond. so many people have become internally displaced _ many people have become internally displaced in afghanistan. so many are becoming refugees. so we actually— are becoming refugees. so we actually need immediate help and assistance for them. there are so much _ assistance for them. there are so much to— assistance for them. there are so much to talk about right now, and a lot much to talk about right now, and a tot of— much to talk about right now, and a tot of us— much to talk about right now, and a tot of us are — much to talk about right now, and a lot of us are deeply depressed about the situation there. a lot of us are deeply depressed about the situation there.— the situation there. a depressing, dee -l the situation there. a depressing, deeply uncertain _ the situation there. a depressing, deeply uncertain and _ the situation there. a depressing, deeply uncertain and dangerous . the situation there. a depressing, - deeply uncertain and dangerous time. for now, most afghans are just

trying to get through each day before they confront fundamental questions about their future. lyse doucet, bbc news. here, the government is developing a "bespoke" scheme to allow afghan refugees to come to the uk. let's get more on that from our political correspondent nick eardley. there is already a scheme in place to bring afghan interpreters and other people who worked with british forces to the uk. that is part of the evacuation is going on in kabul at the moment. we are expecting a further 350 back in the next four years according to the foreign secretary. then there is the big humanitarian question about what will happen to all the people who have fled parts of afghanistan over the past few days in response to the march of the taliban. what we understand from sources in government tonight is that they are developing a scheme that they hope

to unveil in the next few days. it is going to be bespoke but it will be also loosely based on the syrian relocation scheme that was introduced by david cameron's government back in 2014. you might remember that that, over a period of about six years, we settled around 20,000 syrians who were seen to be in the most need in the uk. this is going to be considerably more complicated by the fact that the taliban have taken so much territory in afghanistan. but the government is working on the details of that scheme. no numbers being put on it at the moment. no specifics about when exactly that will come into play and exactly who it will focus on. but i'd expect, when we do get those details, it will in particular have a focus on women and girls. there is a real concern in the uk government about the impact that the taliban's plans are going to have on some of the women and young women

that the nato forces helped over the last few years to get into education and get into work. no numbers, no specifics, but i would expect to get that plan within the next couple of days. that plan within the next couple of da s. �* , ., , , ., that plan within the next couple of das. , , days. but this will as you say be very complicated, _ days. but this will as you say be very complicated, getting - days. but this will as you say be very complicated, getting all. days. but this will as you say be i very complicated, getting all these people out through an airport that at the moment is sealed off stop thatis at the moment is sealed off stop that is not allowing flights out. and obviously, there are going to be tens of thousands of people. tens of thousands of people who are going to be desperate to try to leave.— be desperate to try to leave. you're absolutely right, _ be desperate to try to leave. you're absolutely right, and _ be desperate to try to leave. you're absolutely right, and there - be desperate to try to leave. you're absolutely right, and there are - absolutely right, and there are already several hundred from the initial scheme for afghans who worked with the uk forces. there are already several hundred of them who have travelled to the uk. those pictures we saw this morning show the level of desperation that some people have, and i suspect that this relocation scheme when it does get

unveiled will be slightly more medium—term than what we are seeing in kabul at the moment. it will be about how you start to address the humanitarian crisis the many governance now expect to come from the fallout of the taliban's takeover of so much of afghanistan. we know that streams of people have left the country for neighbouring countries in the last few days, we know that there are some who are trapped outside the capital as well who may want to leave the country at some point. the specifics of how thatis some point. the specifics of how that is going to happen are incredibly complicated. you think of the syrian scheme when isis were on the syrian scheme when isis were on the march, when the assad regime was committing some atrocities, there were still parts of the country which were seen as safer that uk forces and allies could get people out of. that is not the case in afghanistan any more, apart from that very small area around kabul

airport. it's going to be complicated, it's going to be difficult, is going to be considerable political pressure on the government to set out the specifics. we've heard the labour party talking a lot about this today, scotland's first minister saying that she stands ready to sign up saying that she stands ready to sign up to taking refugees or asylum seekers. i would expect to get some concrete plans from the government in the next few days and expected to be a scheme that prioritises women and girls and tries to address some of the unfolding humanitarian disaster. w' of the unfolding humanitarian disaster. . , of the unfolding humanitarian disaster. ., , ., disaster. nick eardley at westminster, _ disaster. nick eardley at westminster, thank - disaster. nick eardley at westminster, thank you | disaster. nick eardley at. westminster, thank you for disaster. nick eardley at - westminster, thank you for that. najum iqbalfrom the international committee of the red cross. he joins us live from geneva. that news of some kind of scheme to help people flee afghanistan. that has got to be some good news? thank

ou ve has got to be some good news? thank you very much- — has got to be some good news? thank you very much. certainly _ has got to be some good news? thank you very much. certainly there - has got to be some good news? thank you very much. certainly there is - has got to be some good news? thank you very much. certainly there is an anxiety— you very much. certainly there is an anxiety as— you very much. certainly there is an anxiety as to — you very much. certainly there is an anxiety as to women and girls in afghanistan. when it comes to the icrc, _ afghanistan. when it comes to the icrc. we _ afghanistan. when it comes to the icrc, we have received the message from the _ icrc, we have received the message from the taliban in the past, as weti— from the taliban in the past, as well as— from the taliban in the past, as well as these days, is that all our staff, _ well as these days, is that all our staff, including female staff, they are safe — staff, including female staff, they are safe. but i completely understand that there is a fear and anxiety— understand that there is a fear and anxiety not — understand that there is a fear and anxiety not only about the future of women _ anxiety not only about the future of women and — anxiety not only about the future of women and girls but generally about what witt— women and girls but generally about what will happen to the people of afghanistan, and that's quite understandable because what they have seen and they have gone through during _ have seen and they have gone through during just _ have seen and they have gone through during just the last couple of months _ during just the last couple of months. it is a lot to process. so from _ months. it is a lot to process. so from our— months. it is a lot to process. so from our angle, from the international committee of the red cross, _ international committee of the red cross, of— international committee of the red cross, of course what we are concerned about is the human a tear in consequences of the past few months — in consequences of the past few months. there are still hundreds and

thousands— months. there are still hundreds and thousands who have been displaced from their— thousands who have been displaced from their houses, from their towns and cities _ from their houses, from their towns and cities. we have seen infrastructure damaged, houses of civilians _ infrastructure damaged, houses of civilians damaged because of the recent— civilians damaged because of the recent fighting, and on top of it all those — recent fighting, and on top of it all those thousands of people who have been injured because of this fighting — have been injured because of this fighting. most of these injuries will be — fighting. most of these injuries will be long—term and life changing as wett _ will be long-term and life changing as well. . , will be long-term and life changing aswell. ., , , ., ., as well. so what is the situation re ort as well. so what is the situation report that _ as well. so what is the situation report that you _ as well. so what is the situation report that you are _ as well. so what is the situation report that you are getting - as well. so what is the situation report that you are getting from your people on the ground in kabul, for instance? taste your people on the ground in kabul, for instance?— for instance? we have not seen any fiuuhtin for instance? we have not seen any fiaahtin in for instance? we have not seen any fighting in kabul. _ for instance? we have not seen any fighting in kabul. in _ for instance? we have not seen any fighting in kabul. in fact, _ for instance? we have not seen any fighting in kabul. in fact, when - for instance? we have not seen any fighting in kabul. in fact, when it. fighting in kabul. in fact, when it comes— fighting in kabul. in fact, when it comes to — fighting in kabul. in fact, when it comes to kabul, honestly, we are relieved — comes to kabul, honestly, we are relieved. we are relieved because we were realty— relieved. we are relieved because we were really fearing that if the fighting — were really fearing that if the fighting which it happened in other cities, _ fighting which it happened in other cities, like — fighting which it happened in other cities, like lashkar gah, in kandahar, if that took place in kabul. — kandahar, if that took place in kabul, the humanitarian consequences on civilians _ kabul, the humanitarian consequences on civilians would have been

disastrous. so that was, for us, a sign _ disastrous. so that was, for us, a sign of— disastrous. so that was, for us, a sign of relief, to say the least. that's— sign of relief, to say the least. that's the _ sign of relief, to say the least. that's the kabul received... of course, — that's the kabul received... of course, what comes next is still quite _ course, what comes next is still quite uncertain. we don't have much clarity— quite uncertain. we don't have much clarity as— quite uncertain. we don't have much clarity as to — quite uncertain. we don't have much clarity as to what lies ahead, but what _ clarity as to what lies ahead, but what we — clarity as to what lies ahead, but what we know for sure is that lots of humanitarian needs are out there and that— of humanitarian needs are out there and that needs to be taken care of. 0k, and that needs to be taken care of. 0k. what's— and that needs to be taken care of. 0k, what's your message to the international community, to boris johnson, tojoe biden, and so on? i mean, from the international community of the red cross, for us afghanistan is at a crossroads of its history — afghanistan is at a crossroads of its history. it needs the support troth— its history. it needs the support both financial and political of the international community more than ever~ _ international community more than ever~ the _ international community more than ever. the people of afghanistan, they have — ever. the people of afghanistan, they have seen enough during the past four— they have seen enough during the past four decades of conflict. they

need _ past four decades of conflict. they need assurances and political and financial— need assurances and political and financial support of the international community to rebuild, recover— international community to rebuild, recover from decades of conflict. this is— recover from decades of conflict. this is our— recover from decades of conflict. this is our message.— recover from decades of conflict. this is our message. that might be the message _ this is our message. that might be the message but _ this is our message. that might be the message but there _ this is our message. that might be the message but there is _ this is our message. that might be the message but there is going - this is our message. that might be the message but there is going to l this is our message. that might be i the message but there is going to be reluctance to send the kind of money and resources that you are potentially talking about while the taliban are there. taste potentially talking about while the taliban are there.— taliban are there. we have been workin: taliban are there. we have been working with _ taliban are there. we have been working with caliban _ taliban are there. we have been working with caliban since - taliban are there. we have been working with caliban since past i working with caliban since past years _ working with caliban since past years as — working with caliban since past years as well, because since you know— years as well, because since you know many— years as well, because since you know many parts of afghanistan have been under— know many parts of afghanistan have been undertheir know many parts of afghanistan have been under their control for years already — been under their control for years already so — been under their control for years already. so in terms of working with them _ already. so in terms of working with them to— already. so in terms of working with them to continue providing humanitarian assistance, we don't see any— humanitarian assistance, we don't see any issue. of course, in order to continue — see any issue. of course, in order to continue that we need resources. even _ to continue that we need resources. even when — to continue that we need resources. even when i — to continue that we need resources. even when i speak to you now, our funding _ even when i speak to you now, our

funding for— even when i speak to you now, our funding for afghanistan, we are still facing considerable shortage. that is— still facing considerable shortage. that is why i say that afghanistan and its _ that is why i say that afghanistan and its people need the continuous political— and its people need the continuous political and financial support at thisjuncture of political and financial support at this juncture of history. political and financial support at thisjuncture of history. let�*s political and financial support at thisjuncture of history. let's hope that forthcoming. _ thisjuncture of history. let's hope that forthcoming. thank _ thisjuncture of history. let's hope that forthcoming. thank you - thisjuncture of history. let's hope that forthcoming. thank you for i that forthcoming. thank you for joining us. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers — our guestsjoining me tonight arejenny kleeman, a presenter at times radio, and michael booker, deputy editor of the daily express. so do stay with us for them. we are going to move away from events in afghanistan now to a minutes silence. a minute's silence has been held to remember the victims of last week's mass shooting in plymouth. jake davison killed five people in the keyham area

of the city on thursday before taking his own life. those who died included davison's mother maxine, a three—year—old girl, sophie martyn, and herfather, lee. the city council invited people across the uk to observe the silence at 11am. 0ur correspondentjon kay reports. just before 11 o'clock, they gathered in parks and playgrounds across plymouth. it's been really hard. i think we're still all in shock at what's happened, aren't we? at the city's guildhall, some of those who responded to the shootings joined community leaders to remember three—year—old sophie martyn and herfather, lee, shot at random as they walked home. maxine davison, the first victim, who was the mother of the gunman. stephen washington, who was walking his dogs when he was killed. and 66—year—old kate shepard, who died from her injuries in hospital. the bell rang for each of them. bell rings.

applause i grew up and went to school there. leeann came to remember the neighbours she's lost. just trying to process it all, really. it could've been any of us walking along the street that day. my family, my children, anybody. it's really hard to sort of realise that it was that close. so all of these civic things, itjust seemed really important to be here. the police cordon may have come down now, but this place feels far from normal. so he went straight past your house? walked past our house, yeah. michael is ex—military and saw the shootings unfold.

one of the victims, kate shepard, was killed outside his house as she came out of the hairdresser�*s. itjust makes me feel so sad. i'm ashamed to say that tears often come into my eyes. you know, i don't know if we'll ever be the same again. many here question why jake davison was allowed to own a gun, given his hate—filled social media posts and recent allegations of violence. police forces in england and wales are now being asked to review the way they issue firearms licences. but for now, the focus here is not on the killer but on his victims and how one man's actions have scarred an entire city. john kay, bbc news, plymouth. from today, people in england and northern ireland who've had two covid vaccines won't have to isolate for ten days if they've been in contact with someone who's tested positive. the guidance, which applies to the under 18s too,

now says that people should instead take a pcr test. the changes to the self—isolation rules are already in place in wales and scotland. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. the pints have kept pouring at this community pub in york, despite nearly all the regular staff being pinged. volunteers came to the rescue when the pub manager — who lives upstairs — was told to self—isolate. she says life will be much easier from now on. the new rules mean that small businesses can get by with the staff that they've got, even if someone is off with covid. so it's going to make a massive difference. not having to close means not having to throw stock away. phones ping nearly 700,000 self—isolation alerts were sent out in england and wales in one week injuly in what was dubbed a pingdemic. now the double—jabbed and under 18s will be advised to take a pcr test

if identified as close contacts by test and trace, but it won't be compulsory. if you're identified as a close contact, you're significantly higher risk of having the virus yourself and potentially becoming unwell, even if you are double vaccinated. so although the information about seeking a pcr test is advisory, i would really encourage people to take it up. it's very important. covid hospital admissions are now averaging around 800 patients a day, that's around a fifth of the level seen in the winter peak. so there's no risk of the nhs being overwhelmed, but it's still disruptive, given the record backlog of treatment to deal with. the lifting of restrictions in england four weeks ago did not lead to a massive surge in hospitalisations, despite some dire predictions, but there are concerns about what the autumn may bring. which is why vaccination remains so important. in croydon today, people were mostly

getting second doses, which means they'll be regarded as fully immunised in two weeks' time. i work for an estate agency, so once one person goes, we all have to self—isolate at the moment, and we can't do viewings and things like that. i think having the ability to just go about your day, obviously get a test if you need one, i think will be a massive, massive help. being double—jabbed doesn't mean you're immune from catching covid, and anyone testing positive is still legally required to self—isolate wherever they live in the uk. fergus walsh, bbc news. the latest government coronavirus figures show there were 28,438 new infections recorded, in the latest 24—hour period, which means on average there were 29,086 new cases per day in the last week. 5,894 people are in hospital with coronavirus. 26 deaths were recorded

in the last 24 hours — but the number of deaths recorded at weekends normally falls quite sharply. on average, there were 89 deaths a day in the last week. over 89% of adults in the uk have now had their firstjab and 77% have had both jabs. most pupils in scotland will be returning to school this week, with many covid restrictions still in place. secondary school pupils must go on wearing masks in the classroom and socially distance from their teachers. the measures are expected to continue until at least the end of september. alexandra mackenzie reports. the excitement and anticipation of a new term. many covid restrictions in secondary schools remain in place. so, for senior students, it's all very familiar. i'm really relaxed about it — before we stopped injune and previous to that it was, like, the same restrictions coming in, sanitising your hands, going straight to your classroom, wearing your facemask and social distancing from your teachers, which this will all stay the same.

for those moving up from primary school, it's the first time they've had to wear a face covering in the classroom. i don't really mind. i mean, i'd rather social distance and wear a mask than having to sit in the house. i'm going to find it kind of tricky, but i might get used _ to it after a few days. i have to wear a mask every day, and i'm not too bothered about it because it keeps people safe. for teachers, the restrictions, which will be reviewed in six weeks' time, bring additional responsibilities. they'll be sanitising on entry and exit to the building, and in classrooms, there will be enhanced cleaning. in a positive, there will be changes to the bubbles, which will allow pupils to mix more freely. because of coronavirus, education has been disrupted for the last two school years. pupils and teachers now in their classrooms hope this year will bring much more normality. if i was to write a whole number as a fraction, what would i put it over? a higher maths class

on a monday morning. after two years with no traditional exams, students expect to find out soon if they will go ahead next year. alexandra mackenzie, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. hello, there. it is not felt particularly warm thanks to that north—westerly wind. it's going to remain on the cool side through the rest of this week, a lot of cloud around too and chance of a bit of rain at times. after some sunshine for eastern areas, overnight were going to have some cloud coming back in from the west. more rain and drizzle on the way overnight, and some mist and some hill fog on the way as well. mild night, milderthan last some hill fog on the way as well. mild night, milder than last night. it starts quite cloudy for most of us during tuesday and we have this rain and drizzle around. the worst pushing away in the morning, but some damp weather in the afternoon. it will brighten up a bit in the

west country and eastern parts of scotland that are more sheltered from that north—westerly wind that is going to be blowing tomorrow. temperatures will be 17 or 18 celsius under the cloud. get some sunshine, temperatures could reach 21 celsius.

good evening and welcome to viewers in the uk and around the world. in the next 15 minutes or so, president biden will break his silence on the situation in afghanistan with a televised address to the nation, which we will bring to you live. there've been scenes of panic at kabul airport today, with hundreds of people desperate to flee following the taliban takeover. at an emergency meeting of the un security council, the secretary general has urged the taliban to exercise maximum restraint. the withdrawal of us troops has come in for strong condemnation from — among others — former generals, afghan americans, and some republican politicians. in opinion polls last month, an overwhelming majority of americans — 70% or more — supported mr biden's policy of withdrawal. but will the taliban's unstoppable advance have changed that? 0ur north america editor jon sopel reports. the sudden capture of the country's capital has shocked the world. whatever the political bent of the network... the taliban has taken over

afghanistan, seizing control of kabul... ..the verdict today has been unanimous and brutal. the biden administration is redefining the word "incompetent". an epic humiliation of us foreign policy, a woeful mishandling by president biden. just a month ago, the president said a taliban takeover of afghanistan was highly unlikely. and it was the national security adviser with the unenviable task of defending the administration's handling of the crisis and yesterday's evacuation from the embassy. the helicopter has been the mode of transport l from our embassy to the airport for the last 20 years. _ it's not the helicopter. it's not the mechanism. that is how we move people back and forth, so... - no, no. it's the last—minute scramble. you know that. it's the last—minute scramble, when the assurances from the president himself were, this was not what we were going to see. joe biden — who's at camp david and hasn't been heard from since kabul fell — will return to the white house later today. the unfolding pace of events, the hurried evacuation

of the us embassy, has caught everyone by surprise. but until now, the commander—in—chief has been simultaneously defensive and defiant about the policy. others have been less kind. it seems the biden administration again has no plan. it has created another crisis in afghanistan, where it didn't need to be, at the end of the day. this is about leadership, and the way in which we are removing ourselves and withdrawing from afghanistan didn't need to occur. what do we want? peace! when do we want it? now! and outside the white house, there have been protests from pro—afghan groups. this woman served two tours of duty in afghanistan with the us air force. today, i'm embarrassed to be an american. why? erm... because we pretended to be allies with these people, and then we just left lambs to the slaughter. it's immoral. it was irresponsible and immoral, and america's better than this. and the anguish is deep among former afghan nationals.

they don't care any more about afghanistan. we are not as important as we were back in 2000. that's the reason we are here. we are here in order to speak up for the women who worked for the united states. in herat today, near the iranian border, life is carrying on with an air of normality, but what will this city — and the country — feel like in a few months�* time, with the taliban back in charge? will it be 2001 all over again? jon sopel, bbc news, washington. today the united nations secretary general has urged the taliban to exercise the maximum restraint to protect lives. speaking at an emergency session of the un security council, antonio guterres urged all countries to be willing to receive afghan refugees. iremind i remind all parties of their obligation to protect civilians. and a call on all parties to provide humanitarians with access to deliver

it to life—saving services and aid. and i also urge all countries to be willing to receive afghan refugees and refrain from any depredations. the president, now is the time to stand as one. the international community must be united. jae stand as one. the international community must be united. joe biden is back at the — community must be united. joe biden is back at the white _ community must be united. joe biden is back at the white house. _ community must be united. joe biden is back at the white house. let - community must be united. joe biden is back at the white house. let us - is back at the white house. let us based to our washington correspondent. 0ne based to our washington correspondent. one wonders what the commander—in—chief is able to say to stiles not only america's conscience but also the growing anger at that sarah seems to be, particularly within villas on the right at the way the whole affair has been handled. .,, ., ., , handled. those on the right had been ve vocal handled. those on the right had been very vocal party _ handled. those on the right had been very vocal party for— handled. those on the right had been very vocal party for political _ very vocal party for political reasons but it has been much more than those on the right. it's been the foreign policy establishment

that has been dismayed by the manner in which this withdrawal has taken place. what willjoe biden say? he put out a statement on saturday perhaps that would be some sort of guide and in it he mentioned several of the administration talking points. 0ne of the administration talking points. one is that he says that biden administration's hand was forced by donald trump to ask because mr trump had made a peace deal with that data bank which involved and exit gates for us troops by may. and had also in the interim allow the taliban to build up interim allow the taliban to build up a fair bit of strength. the argument goes that if the us troops had not decided to depart and joe biden had decided to let them stay and the taliban would have said all bets are off and it would've gone attacking the troops and there aren't enough troops of the country to delete that and there had to be another surge so it was two options and we had to go through it with it. that being debated in washington right if that's actually the case. marcel is the planning for the

departure and people here near the administration knew the army was weak and the administration was weak but nobody was expecting it to collapse so quickly. so the argument has been read have contingency plans in place but nobody was expecting that data bank to be advocates so quickly and they turned it into an argument to say what it shows if we stayed one more year orfive more years the afghan army would not have been prepared to step up and defend the country. you may hear those kinds of things from joe biden this afternoon. he is on the defensive. he does have to explain himself especially at the kinds of things he was saying earlier in the lead up to this period where the exact opposite. he said he would be an orderly departure and he said he did not think it had a take over the country. not think it had a take over the count . . , ,., not think it had a take over the count. . , ,, country. that is the point because while she might _ country. that is the point because while she might say _ country. that is the point because while she might say yes, the - while she might say yes, the administration's hand was forced by administration's hand was forced by a pretty useless piece deal signed tjy a pretty useless piece deal signed by donald trump and while there can be lots of criticism leveled at donald trump at the end of the day, joe biden has been a sceptic about

how long american troops should stay in afghanistan. he did not support barack 0bama as surge and he made it clear that he does not want another father's son or mother or his son to go and servejust father's son or mother or his son to go and serve just as his son did. he's history suggests he's wanted to get out from underneath the shackles of afghanistan as soon as possible. and that seems to play into some of the criticism that he's facing now. yes, he's been pretty clearfor years he thought afghanistan was a predatory boy to be american forces and there was not really an endgame and there was not really an endgame and that the army had gone into with the threat of al-qaeda and they did not want to stay in nation—building he has been vocal about that and he has very recently said i don't want a us presence to be in the middle of a us presence to be in the middle of a conflict, a civil conflict. so he

still feels that way and i have to say that other presidents, including president 0bama wanted to pull forces out as well as mr trump but they deferred to the military advice not to do so because the military has always pushed back and did so with joe has always pushed back and did so withjoe biden as n said if you pull all of the us such as out the government will collapse in six to 12 months. he did not predict this is quickly a collapse but they very against the idea and he suggested he allow a smaller forest to state to state things and not when the wire but that he's managed the conflict and he was unwilling to do that. so, he has very strong feelings about this so i suspect he will defend himself in that score because that is what he believes but that reality of it is that what you are seeing now which is a humiliating and for the united states of a 20 year war reef that makes two us reputation

and looking like it and abandoning of allies that are vulnerable, that would be something he has to own because he is the one who decided to leave and so although this is a collective failure for administration, he is the one who will there the way it ended. thank ou. i'm joined now by shafiq hamdam, a former advisor to president ashraf ghani and to nato. well, we can speak now hello, thank you forjoining us. lots of criticism of the man that you used to advise on him skipping the country. you used to advise on him skipping the country-— the country. yes, unfortunately he has chosen — the country. yes, unfortunately he has chosen the _ the country. yes, unfortunately he has chosen the worst _ the country. yes, unfortunately he has chosen the worst path. - the country. yes, unfortunately he has chosen the worst path. he - the country. yes, unfortunately hej has chosen the worst path. he had two options, ito transition to a third party or to do a peace deal, or to hunt up to the taliban. he has chosen his own way, beating the

country in chaos and misery as that as a power gap in legitimacy. of course, the taliban has control of afghanistan but there is not any political or illegal or a legitimate government so far in the country so i don't know who's accountable and who is responsible for that and who will take the responsibility. unfortunately, a country without a leader in the country without government and of country without me there. if government and of country without me there. , ., ~' government and of country without me there. ,, ~' ,. government and of country without me there. ,., ~ y., ., , there. if you think you have been advisin: there. if you think you have been advising him _ there. if you think you have been advising him that _ there. if you think you have been advising him that you _ there. if you think you have been advising him that you might - there. if you think you have been advising him that you might have suggested to try to come to some kind of accommodation with the taliban. they have made it clear that they might be willing as long as it is some kind of islamic republic, they would be willing to share power. it is republic, they would be willing to share power-— share power. it is a conclusion of the immunity _ share power. it is a conclusion of the immunity and _ share power. it is a conclusion of the immunity and that _ share power. it is a conclusion of. the immunity and that assessment, research, and intelligence that afghanistan does not have a military

solution. it has been said repeatedly to him and it was advised to him on many occasions that he has refused it. he kept fighting it and refused it. he kept fighting it and refused a true settlement peace deal and negotiation. of course, we had a wonderful experience of cease—fire and i was able to visit the places i've never imagined before the cease—fire in afghanistan. we have had some peace talks but it was all imposed invoice the united states on him and he did not have this willingness and unfortunately what happened after the peace deal with united states, we were isolated, we were abandoned because we were not even included in the united states be scared with the taliban. it's primarily because he resisted and he did not want to do peace talks and he did not want to negotiate a compromise. as a result, unfortunately, everything has vanished and gone the last 20 years. efforts, sacrifice, and investment has vanished. i would like to add

that the president is not the only person staring —— sharing this responsibility. it's president biden and president trump as well, both of them are sharing this decision on have also have to be accountable to the nation and respond to the question and concern. do the nation and respond to the question and concern.- the nation and respond to the question and concern. do you have any understanding _ question and concern. do you have any understanding of _ question and concern. do you have any understanding of the _ question and concern. do you have any understanding of the idea - question and concern. do you have j any understanding of the idea from your average american that they should not be fighting in this war for the last 20 years. they got in there and it got rid of them not in and it got rid of al-qaeda and this cannot go on indefinitely. more than 2000 american servicemen lost their lives. that's mothers without sons, father is about son, and so on. can you conceive of that way of thinking? because last month 70% of americans thought it was the right thing to do to bring the troops back to america.

thing to do to bring the troops back to america-— thing to do to bring the troops back to america. ., , , ., ., ., ., to america. certainly you do have an answer for that. _ to america. certainly you do have an answer for that. everybody - to america. certainly you do have an answer for that. everybody will - answer for that. everybody will question why did hundreds of americans died and hundreds of europeans died there. i have seen bbc interviews where mothers lost their loved ones and she's questioning that community and asking for a response for her son. she is not now more in grief of her son but she says why her son died in afghanistan if countries are going that epic 20 years where it was 20 years before. the same thing in america. i wish and i years before. the same thing in america. iwish and i hope years before. the same thing in america. i wish and i hope that it includes not only but it should includes not only but it should include the situation today. if it's going to be like today, you would see absolutely different response because what you have seen from the aircraft that people have and they fell from hundreds of feet from the

sky and their photos you can see of thousands of thousands of people fleeing and they don't care if they die, they arejumping in front fleeing and they don't care if they die, they are jumping in front of the aeroplane and i think the response and i think that's why he so worried and you keep a seller read and you see new troops going backin read and you see new troops going back in i think that's mainly because they want to cover every mistake and in a few minutesjoe biden will make new decisions because he escaped and his party states and even the future of his election campaign where the second round i think he's in danger if he does not take care and responsible action of what's going on so far in afghanistan. taste action of what's going on so far in afghanistan-— action of what's going on so far in afr hanistan. ~ . afghanistan. we will leave it there. the former — afghanistan. we will leave it there. the former adviser. _ afghanistan. we will leave it there. the former adviser. thank - afghanistan. we will leave it there. the former adviser. thank you. - to doctor madiha afzal

from the foreign policy programme at the think—tank, the brookings institution. she joins us live from washington. how would you assess president biden's handling of this. he said he was given a flawed piece deal and a timetable that he had to adhere to. how would you characterise how he handled all of this?— how would you characterise how he handled all of this? president biden was secondly _ handled all of this? president biden was secondly given _ handled all of this? president biden was secondly given a _ handled all of this? president biden was secondly given a flawed - handled all of this? president biden was secondly given a flawed peace l was secondly given a flawed peace deal and gave the taliban us withdrawal for very little in return but president biden had a choice to make when he came into power in january 2021. and i was with to abide by that peace deal and if he did he could have held the taliban responsible for the conditions that were imposed including cutting ties with al-qaeda which the taliban did

not but president biden essentially throughout those condition oddities of the peace dear and doubt with an unconditional withdrawal in afghanistan and that unconditional withdrawal i would say has been the paved the way for afghanistan over the next two months because the unconditional withdrawal made it clear that the taliban had no incentives to come to the peace table for talks with the afghan government and he basically decided on a military strategy. it would be so quick and so precipitous and the collapse of afghanistan and the rise of the taliban. that was not obvious in april but that, the taliban would have no incentive to negotiate a peace table and i think it was quite obvious in april. mit? peace table and i think it was quite obvious in april.— obvious in april. why was none of that obvious _ obvious in april. why was none of that obvious in _ obvious in april. why was none of that obvious in april? _ obvious in april. why was none of that obvious in april? why - obvious in april. why was none of that obvious in april? why was i obvious in april. why was none of i that obvious in april? why was none of that obvious a year ago or two years ago? the foreign forces have

been there for 20 years training the military. do they have no idea of whether or not they would fight, whether or not they would fight, whether or not they would fight, whether or not? that seems to be whatjoe biden has gone on. he seems to think all his money has been spent and these people have been trained and they've been able to defend their own country but that clearly was not the case, what went wrong? i clearly was not the case, what went wron: ? ~' ., , , wrong? i think the two big things he can oint wrong? i think the two big things he can point to. — wrong? i think the two big things he can point to. one — wrong? i think the two big things he can point to, one is _ wrong? i think the two big things he can point to, one is the _ wrong? i think the two big things he can point to, one is the corruption i can point to, one is the corruption of the government and its military leadership and the failure to inspire and lead the afghan security forces to be able to fight back against the taliban and also the ascendance of the taliban as well as the inevitability of their forces and be relieved need to modernise them and i gave the quickness with which the american military withdrew over the last few months really pulled out the rug from under their feet and you really dependent on the us military for air support, for

intelligence support, and were unable and they were spread out so theme they were unable to operate and they did not have supplies and he did not have food and some of them have been unpaid for months in somewhat sold kayla reported the taliban gave them stipends as they surrendered. so in the face of this all, it was a surrender that ended up all, it was a surrender that ended up happening rather than a fight back. and this was not anticipated by many, especially in washington. we say it was not anticipated but george w. bush in december 2001 when 0sama george w. bush in december 2001 when osama bin laden was in the mountains of tora bora and i was there i saw the b 52 and that big huge bombing planes pounding the mountain side and the taliban were on the back

flip. they offered to give up their base in kandahar and not support al-qaeda any more or give them safe haven in return for a peace deal. george w. bush said no, we are not going to do that, we are going to stay and we're going to try and rebuild afghanistan and they're going to rebuild the afghan that is there all of this started because if you're going to stay and rebuild a society, that a safeway generation commitments, not 20 years, it's 40, 50 years and america is putting out. that is a betrayal of the afghan people, isn't it? taste that is a betrayal of the afghan people, isn't it?— that is a betrayal of the afghan people, isn't it? we will certainly be analysing _ people, isn't it? we will certainly be analysing what _ people, isn't it? we will certainly be analysing what went _ people, isn't it? we will certainly be analysing what went wrong i people, isn't it? we will certainly| be analysing what went wrong and where in this wire, and a 20 year warand where in this wire, and a 20 year war and how the mission increased and then by successive presidents and then by successive presidents and in particular the last two presidents, trump and biden wanted

to pull out. so they will be plenty of blame to go around and say to me the ability of america to build a military in a place that afghanistan and the failure of that will be something that 3.2. to me, i think the very nature of how things have unfolded over the last few weeks and in particular, the last two days again as i said plenty of blame to go around but i would say it's on president trump's deal with the taliban and the decision to withdraw unconditionally that one can point to and also today afghan government and the fact that he failed to lead those security forces. i think what will haunt the biden administration is not only what has happened over the fact that afghanistan has bought into the taliban but the way that things have been dealt with over the

last few days in particular with helicopters flying overhead, 6000 troops in couple essentiallyjust evacuate americans and afghan allies. this will reverberate over the years to come and this sort of crowds at public airport over the runway running after aeroplanes that are taking off around them, that disregard in many ways for the humanitarian catastrophe left behind. back to it and they are and that's will be considered an abandonment.— that's will be considered an abandonment. �* ., ., abandonment. and the equivalent of --eole abandonment. and the equivalent of eo - ie the abandonment. and the equivalent of people they trying _ abandonment. and the equivalent of people they trying not _ abandonment. and the equivalent of people they trying not to _ abandonment. and the equivalent of people they trying not to draw i abandonment. and the equivalent of people they trying not to draw this i people they trying not to draw this comparison, it's pretty clear that comparison, it's pretty clear that comparison to saigon and 75. that is a comparison — comparison to saigon and 75. that is a comparison that _ comparison to saigon and 75. that is a comparison that the _ comparison to saigon and 75. that is a comparison that the biden - a comparison that the biden administration has resisted and when president biden came into power he said he did not want a saigon

moment. he was haunted by the spectre of having a saigon moment and want to be responsible withdraw from afghanistan when unfortunately the reality is given the way things have unfolded over the last few weeks and in particular the last few days that it has ended up being a catastrophe and ended up being anything but a responsible withdraw. we are still waiting for president biden to make that address to the american people on the situation in afghanistan. i will washington correspondent is standing by. lots of criticism from their republicans and you indicated earlier that that might be as a result of politics. how are the democrats feeling about all of this? i how are the democrats feeling about all of this? ~ , .

how are the democrats feeling about all of this? ~' , ., . all of this? i think they are much more waiting _ all of this? i think they are much more waiting to _ all of this? i think they are much more waiting to accept _ all of this? i think they are much more waiting to accept joe i all of this? i think they are much more waiting to accept joe biden all of this? i think they are much i more waiting to accept joe biden as more waiting to accethoe biden as argument or to publicly support them. but that does not mean there is not also dismayed at the way things are playing out. there is this me administration as well that is not to be minimised. the images we are speaking about our very real and the images of helicopters, the people on the runway, the americans were hoping or planning to try to keep the embassy open in this transition period. they had left i detail of more than 600 soldiers in the country to protect it and they wanted to leave it there is an indication of confidence in whatever government was coming and also some ability to help shape things as they went forward especially when it came to protecting civil society and rights for women and children and so on. that is not going to happen. they are now at the airport having been inoculated and dealing with an

emergency situation trying to get other people out and bears an evacuation process now. they will be very little influence they can have on the ground with what next. it is hard to see this as anything but a defeat even though it was a decision to pull an army out of what the president was saying in an unwinnable war anyway. and when he said to go it had been achieved as far as terrorism goes and that the americans were not able to have any my progress just sitting there but this is not the way he wanted it to ends. . , this is not the way he wanted it to ends. ., , ., ., ., ._ ends. certainly not. no, not the way he or anyone — ends. certainly not. no, not the way he or anyone wanted _ ends. certainly not. no, not the way he or anyone wanted it _ ends. certainly not. no, not the way he or anyone wanted it to _ ends. certainly not. no, not the way he or anyone wanted it to end i ends. certainly not. no, not the way he or anyone wanted it to end but i he or anyone wanted it to end but the american people to back it. they backed putting out. yes. backed putting out. yes, they certainly date _ backed putting out. yes, they certainly date and _ backed putting out. yes, they certainly date and the - backed putting out. yes, they certainly date and the poles l backed putting out. yes, they i certainly date and the poles were around 70% injuly and this is one of the reasonsjoe biden made the decision and in fact he cited that is partly because it's something the american people wanted to happen. the question is, how they will

respond to what they're seeing on the ground now. the criticism we have been is very much from the elite policy circles in washington. they are dismayed but the american public, it's not clear how they will respond to these images of a humiliating exit. perhaps he would have to wait and see how things develop in afghanistan and whether it had been controlled state means is extremists including al-qaeda have a chance to regroup although the experts say if they do, the impact is more likely to be felt in the region sooner than elsewhere. but obviously the concern from security experts would be that there might be a terrorist attack in the united states might not be traced back to afghanistan under those circumstances you might see a backlash from voters as well. i would say it is something one would have to watch to see whether the manner of leaving has enough of an

impact to change peoples opinions aboutjoe biden as commander or as president. about joe biden as commander or as resident. , , ., president. there is still quite a wa to president. there is still quite a way to go _ president. there is still quite a way to go and _ president. there is still quite a way to go and his _ president. there is still quite a way to go and his presidency i president. there is still quite a i way to go and his presidency but this could be one of the defining moments as to his legacy and the picture of that huge, great transport plane on the runway at the airport, that could end up defining his presidency. it airport, that could end up defining his presidency-— airport, that could end up defining his presidency. it could, we are not a ear his presidency. it could, we are not a year into — his presidency. it could, we are not a year into it _ his presidency. it could, we are not a year into it yet — his presidency. it could, we are not a year into it yet but _ his presidency. it could, we are not a year into it yet but these - his presidency. it could, we are not a year into it yet but these are i his presidency. it could, we are not a year into it yet but these are the l a year into it yet but these are the kinds of images especially with the comparisons to saigon that could have waited even with a legacy of the way the war ended. i have to say that when it comes to political attacks from the republican side, they're not thinking so much about they're not thinking so much about the presidency, they are thinking about midterm elections in 2022 and using whatever ammunition they can have to try to tarnish the presidency and the democrats and

make games sell an electoral response will come more quickly than 2024 which is the next presidential election. but yes, i think the images we are seeing will be very hard to dispel and will be seen as a legacy ofjoe biden. find hard to dispel and will be seen as a legacy of joe biden.— legacy of joe biden. and have the republicans _ legacy of joe biden. and have the republicans been _ legacy of joe biden. and have the republicans been able _ legacy of joe biden. and have the republicans been able to - legacy of joe biden. and have the republicans been able to deflectl republicans been able to deflect enough criticism of the fact that as joe biden says, he was getting —— getting a bad peace deal that made so many concessions to the taliban and did not even put on them an obligation not to back al-qaeda with the consequence if they did that. have the republicans been able to defuse that kind of suggestion? fine defuse that kind of suggestion? one ofthe defuse that kind of suggestion? iaz of the conditions of the peace agreement was that they were to cut ties with al-qaeda, that was one of the conditions and i know under the previous administration secretary pompeo is constantly asked about that, are they really cutting ties

and the un shelley that they are not completely they have not completely done that although how active those ties are is another question. the conditions were very clear and the administration was constantly asked about them but in the end, they were not something that caused the decision to leave the slowdown. the republicans backed mr trump's deal and they were happy to leave but i think the subject has changed. the subject is now the manner of leaving and the focus is on the manner of leaving and i think that is what is going to be for the next two months. as you say, there are political considerations. we have got the midterm elections coming up next year. is there a sense that this could be the kind of moment that does see change. i

could be the kind of moment that does see change.— does see change. i would be very hesitant to _ does see change. i would be very hesitant to say _ does see change. i would be very hesitant to say so _ does see change. i would be very hesitant to say so at _ does see change. i would be very hesitant to say so at this - does see change. i would be very hesitant to say so at this point. i hesitant to say so at this point. americans are focused on the economy and focused on covid—19, the kinds of things that president biden has been focusing on himself and they are tired of forever wires so they don't think that the american president should still be in afghanistan. whether this incident now, but it should have residents when the midterms come, it's too early to call but i would say my own feeling at this point is that if there is not some kind of terror attacks that directly impacts americans i would have thought probably not like our wide influence but we will see. brute probably not like our wide influence but we will see.— but we will see. we will see indian. i know we but we will see. we will see indian. i know we are _ but we will see. we will see indian. i know we are in _ but we will see. we will see indian. i know we are in the _ but we will see. we will see indian. i know we are in the ram _ but we will see. we will see indian. i know we are in the ram of - but we will see. we will see indian. i know we are in the ram of its i i know we are in the ram of its sandbox but thank you for that perspective. we are still waiting for president biden. we were expecting him to begin his address to the american people around about now but there seems to be some kind of delay as he works out exactly how

he's going to explain what many are seeing as a foreign policy blunder. and the decision to withdraw troops from afghanistan. let us join and the decision to withdraw troops from afghanistan. let usjoin my colleague to take you through it. this is bbc news. in the next few minutes — president biden will be speaking for the first time since the taliban took kabul — amid widespread criticism of his handling of the us withdrawal from afghanistan. at the airport in kabul today, surely the defining image of the us withdrawal — hundreds of afghans charging the runway, some desperate to cling on to a departing plane. borisjohnson has called a virtual meeting of the g7 leaders to respond to the talebans takeover — while the uk's defence secretary admits that some of those they'd like to evacuate will be be left behind. and in haiti the rescue operations continue as almost 13 hundred people are now known to have died in saturday's earthquake. they're now bracing for tropical storm grace.