this is bbc news, i'm lyse doucet live in kabul. you're watching a bbc news special on the crisis in afghanistan. the military operation to evacuate thousands of people from the country is entering its last few hours, but some afghans desperate to flee taliban rule will be left behind. kabul is still reeling from two explosions at the city's

airport on thursday, which killed at least 90 people, including 13 us military personnel. president biden has vowed revenge. i'm philippa thomas in london, as the world prepares for the new reality of afghanistan under taliban rule. the humanitarian crisis in afghanistan is deepening, say the world health organisation — with medicines in short supply. we hear from afghans across the country facing severe food and water shortages. and i'll be talking to the first american to fight the taliban in the field as a commander — and then talk to its leaders in face to face negotiations. how does the rest of the world deal with a new islamic emirate?

welcome to a bbc news special about afghanistan with me lyse doucet in kabul and philippa thomas in london. flights are still taking off from kabul airport, a day after two devastating bomb attacks there killed as many as 90 people. but for those who want to get out of afghanistan the chances of getting on them are growing slimmer and slimmer. and australia have already ended their evacuations — british forces say they will only now evacuate people who are inside the airport. flights are taking off and thousands of afghans hoping to get to the airport. hoping against hope they can get one of the last military evacuation flights out of

afghanistan away away from the rest and chaos underlined by that double suicide bombing at kabul airport. we will be live in washington and moscow and beijing. we will hear from the pakistan and macedonia. this is a crisis that draws in neighbours and allies from far away. this is a crisis of far—reaching proportions. over the next hours i will be joined by my colleague philippa thomas in london. we will be talking to experts around the world but also want to draw on your deep knowledge of afghanistan. you have been reporting for us from afghanistan for so many years and know a lot of people including some of those feeling really desperate. are you hearing people are feeling that

chanceis hearing people are feeling that chance is to escape the taliban are slipping away today? i think with every day that passes people feel the window is closing. there are fewer crowds gathering in the centre of kabul then we saw yesterday hoping against hope not only to get a flight butjust to reach the airport. a taliban spokesman telling us those trying to help afghans reach the airport the taliban say only afghans with a foreign passport will be a load to move through the checkpoints to get to the airport. we have had from the british government today which is struggling to process the applications of those already there at the airport. they are not even sure if all of those will be able to be completed in time. the window was closing but afghans are still pushing so hoping to try to catch a bus to the

airport, catch one of the last flights although many are trying to assure afghans and we had from british by minister borisjohnson and we had from germany and the united states that even although the military evacuation flights will land that does not mean all the evacuation sand. it has been astounding to see the goodwill of people around the world who have been putting their funds together to hire private charter planes in order to get afghans, especially vulnerable afghans and perhaps most of all women and children out of afghanistan to feel they have no place —— who feel they have no place left in a country they regard as their own. if you are a young professional women in afghanistan thinking about helping to create a new afghanistan, what are your options now? there are not many

options. some young afghans in this new educated generation have been able to get out and we get their stories on social media and telephone calls or messages from those we know. some of them don't have any options to leave now on these military evacuation flights. there will be the smuggling routes through i ran and tacky and pakistan. —— through the countries of iran and turkey. it has been made clear they will not be welcome along those routes even although there has been an outpouring of hospitality and openness towards afghans know european countries do not want to keep the doors open for this long. of course we have to also underline there are young afghans who will stay, there are young educated afghans who welcome taliban rule. this is a country of many different views and aspirations. i think what

unites afghans most of all is a desire for peace and perhaps that is what was mostjarring about last night attacked is that afghans had dared to hope that now that the taliban are in power the violence. but it hasn't. let's look at the latest developments with this report from our defence our defence correspondent, jonathan beale.

this, the scene of yesterday's deadly suicide attack. just outside the airport. clothes and belongings strewn across the ground, the remnants of more than 90 people killed. many more were wounded. men, women and children who were hoping to get on a flight to freedom, never imagining that some of them would be leaving like this. and seared on the memories of those who survived. me and my group waited for more than 25 hours. we did not enter the airport because of the security wounded everywhere. i cannot explain what we saw today. my world is silent. extremists linked to isis have claimed responsibility for this evil attack. at dusk, the plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the south side of the airport. the first blast, a suicide bomb near abbey gate. the second explosion outside the baron hotel, where the british have been processing evacuees. lowered for the 13 us military personnel also killed. inside, a president under pressure promised revenge.

we will not forgive. we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay. the president promised to continue the us airlift in these last few days, with the deadline looming. but for britain, it's almost at an end. it's now closed its evacuation handling centre at the airport. no new claims will be processed. at about 4:30 this morning, we authorised the closure of the baron hotel, which is now processing centre, and brought across the british, obviously, government officials that were working there and the people inside it for processing. that is now closed, the abbey gate is currently closed, and indeed, we are now processing approximately the last 1000 people on the inside of the airfield, and we will fly them

out today. the final phase of this operation will be getting british troops out. in the rush, they will have to leave some of their equipment behind. they have already flown out nearly 15,000 people, though the defence secretary said with deep regret, some would be left behind. the hope now is that the rest may be able to escape by other means. even before this latest political crisis afghanistan was confronting a growing humanitarian crisis and after a drought there worse shortages of food and water in the world health organization is seeing medical supplies are running short

at the hospitals here and there may be days to go before it runs out of stocks with the international airport not open and it is hard to find other ways to try to get badly needed medical supplies. find other ways to try to get badly needed medicalsupplies. in find other ways to try to get badly needed medical supplies. in a moment we will speak to a senior official with the international committee of the red cross but for now for a look at the deepening humanitarian crisis we have the report from south asia correspondent. in this hospital lies 18—month—old abdul. his mother cannot afford to feed him. we have been told food and gas prices have risen since the taliban took charge. millions were

already on the brink of starvation. know the united nations said it urgently needs more money to avert a crisis. �* ., ., ., ., crisis. another humanitarian disaster- — crisis. another humanitarian disaster. without _ crisis. another humanitarian disaster. without that - crisis. another humanitarian | disaster. without that money crisis. another humanitarian - disaster. without that money coming in we will not be able to supply food to those 20 million people who are already poor. it food to those 20 million people who are already poor.— are already poor. it could be a fireman? _ are already poor. it could be a fireman? absolutely. - are already poor. it could be a fireman? absolutely. that- are already poor. it could be a fireman? absolutely. that is l are already poor. it could be a - fireman? absolutely. that is what we will see if we — fireman? absolutely. that is what we will see if we cannot _ fireman? absolutely. that is what we will see if we cannot give _ fireman? absolutely. that is what we will see if we cannot give our - fireman? absolutely. that is what we will see if we cannot give our food . will see if we cannot give our food supplies. fix, will see if we cannot give our food su lies. �* ., will see if we cannot give our food supplies._ because - will see if we cannot give our food supplies._ because of. will see if we cannot give our food | supplies._ because of the supplies. a famine. because of the dru: supplies. a famine. because of the drug peeple _ supplies. a famine. because of the drug people cannot _ supplies. a famine. because of the drug people cannot feed _ supplies. a famine. because of the i drug people cannot feed themselves. earlier this month explosions rocked this market in helmand province, the scene of some of the heaviest fighting. british troops lost their lives. just weeks ago the emergency

hospital in the area was full of the war wounded. today, where battles were once thought, and nec calm. some who have fled the city have now returned but are homeless. and this border, we have a variety of large weapons from machine guns... this man is a doctor who stayed behind to help those in need. people need humanitarian help. they need foods, medication. the problem is for those whose homes were ruined in the bombings, they don't have the funding to leave their homes. so, some people are living in the open airthen? at the moment, because their houses can't be repaired. exactly. they are sleeping in front of the mosques, they are sleeping in the streets. all of them will just leave their homes and just want to go. this week in the northern city

of dozens have been boarding buses to get to kabul. the un says the conflict has forced has more than half a million afghans to flee their homes this year alone. there is a lot of problems. the taliban are here also, and they don't want to let people go out of the country. this man is just one of them. his mother lives in india. she fled to delhi a decade ago after her husband was killed by the taliban. now she is terrified for her son. translation: he is really scared. the taliban are beating people up in front of him every day. they say they are not the same as before but they are. the taliban have not changed. the doctor i talked to agrees that words from the teller banning kabul do not reflect the reality. we changed his voice. as i am talking to you right now, girls are not allowed to go to school where i am.

many women are not allowed to work. even before the taliban took control, afghans were suffering. now across the country, there are real fears for the future. the world may have left, but afghanistan still the international red cross is on the ground continuing its humanitarian effort. the international red cross is on the ground continuing its humanitarian effort. the international red cross is on the ground continuing its humanitarian effort. is on the ground continuing robert mardini is the director general of the international committee of the red cross and hejoins me now. the international red cross is on the ground continuing what is your main worry now? the main worry — what is your main worry now? tie: main worry beyond the horrific blasts we have seen at kabul airport, a stark reminder and of ho afghans stay in and day out continue to suffer from decades of conflict, there are a0 million afghan people

in afghanistan facing harsh realities and a multilayered humanitarian crisis and the priority of the international community should be to ensure the continuity of essential services for the a0 million afghan people from health to water to access to education and this should be the focus today of what should be keeping us up at night for afghanistan. what should be keeping us up at night forafghanistan. but what should be keeping us up at night for afghanistan.— what should be keeping us up at night for afghanistan. but as you know with the _ night for afghanistan. but as you know with the international - night for afghanistan. but as you l know with the international airport isn't open, if the runway isn't fixed, no aid will be able to get in by airand untilthe fixed, no aid will be able to get in by air and until the road of secured that will not be a route either. what is your sense of the logistics and the access?— what is your sense of the logistics and the access? indeed, the chaotic situation at —

and the access? indeed, the chaotic situation at kabul _ and the access? indeed, the chaotic situation at kabul airport _ and the access? indeed, the chaotic situation at kabul airport is - and the access? indeed, the chaotic situation at kabul airport is a - and the access? indeed, the chaotic situation at kabul airport is a big - situation at kabul airport is a big challenge but other logistical routes are still operational. france is our medical supplies and convoys are still able to reach the hospitals. we support a hospital in kandahar that still receives every day wounded people, people who have been injured because of many minds in the country, including children. —— many landmines. we hope to have more humanity it get in the country and for the time being our teams are still able to operate in our hospitals and other physical rehabilitation centres and orthopaedic centres and on average we have 300 patients coming to receive treatment which is encouraging signals but much more

needs to be done. what encouraging signals but much more needs to be done.— needs to be done. what are you heafina needs to be done. what are you hearing from — needs to be done. what are you hearing from your _ needs to be done. what are you hearing from your medical- needs to be done. what are you - hearing from your medical workers, your staff across the country? is the situation outside of kabul beginning to stabilise art is still a sense of a threat looming? there is obviously — a sense of a threat looming? there is obviously a _ a sense of a threat looming? there is obviously a great _ a sense of a threat looming? there is obviously a great deal _ a sense of a threat looming? there is obviously a great deal of - a sense of a threat looming? ti” is obviously a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty but in many of the cities where we are present there is a response to humanitarian needs and a response to humanitarian needs and a sense of return to normal at least for our colleagues deemed to be able to operate in hospitals and primary health care centres which is encouraging. we have received guarantees from the taliban to have our women colleagues operate in hospitals which is of course

reassuring and a relief for us and a hospital having women doctors and nurses operate providing much—needed services for afghan women giving birth are needing health services. this is more or less the sense of what we are getting from our teams but of course it is very hard to predict and speculate what comes next. ., ~ predict and speculate what comes next. . ~ , ., predict and speculate what comes next. ., ~' , ., , predict and speculate what comes next. . ~ ,, , . predict and speculate what comes next. ., ~ , . ., next. thank you very much for “oininu next. thank you very much for joining us _ next. thank you very much for joining us and _ next. thank you very much for joining us and i _ next. thank you very much for joining us and i know - next. thank you very much for joining us and i know that - next. thank you very much for joining us and i know that the | next. thank you very much for- joining us and i know that the icrc has many roles including with prisoners and families and that will go on. thank you forjoining us.

it is being said at least 90 afghans died at the airport at that number is likely to be over 100. us presidentjoe biden has promised to hunt down the jihadists from the group is—k who say they were behind the attack in kabul which killed at least 90 people — including 13 american troops. mr biden warned the us would "not forgive" the perpetrators. this comes in the last days of the us military presence in afghanistan, one of the worst and deadliest attacks against the forces in the last two decades. let's cross to washington and our correspondent barbara plett usher who is at the white house. there was come from the military officials who spoke last night and a sense of resolve from president biden but behind—the—scenes there

must be concern and worry about the last days of the us presence in afghanistan? there was come from the military officials and president biden saying this kind of thing had been factored into the evacuation plan and they had organised in a package that could continue under stress in attack and whenever you have a non—competent mission attacks are expected know it had happened and recommended to the president that he stick with the august 31 deadline and continue to get people out. the president himself said he accepted that assessment and thought it was important to do so because he didn't want to look as if america was caving in to terrorist attacks. the secretary of defence himself said we have to continue to honour the war dead so that itjacked a united message and resolve. but

you're right, i think the most urgent question now is whether there will be another attack and how to protect comet. the general spoke about that yesterday and spoke about extra security measures and the talked about in vigilant but this is exactly the kind of thing president biden had decided he did not want to see because he made the decision to pull americans out of the war because it did not want any more americans killed out so it is quite a sobering band. although he is also said it reinforces his belief he made the right decision. as you know, president biden has repeatedly emphasised that the terrorism threat in 2021 is different than it was in 2001 and america can deal with it. but i think there must be intelligence experts in washington and many other capitals saying just how big is the threat of so—called

islamic state and al-qaeda? what other links with the taliban and how did they manage to get through this highly patrolled secure airport complex? those questions had been rumbling in the background about whether america could deal with the terrorist threat effectively if it did not have a military presence in the country. the argument of the administration had been it wasn't greatly reduced. al-qaeda had been degraded and they had been able to deal with it by having air support from nearby and in other ways and this is how the did it where there was a terrorist threat and other countries in the did not have to be present. those questions have accelerated know. if islamic state can carry out this deadly bombing what are the threats going forward? can the taliban contain them? it's very unclear whether the taliban has

the ability of the well, actually, to go after islamist extremists even if they are sworn enemies of them and so there are questions now about whether it was the right thing to do to what will need to be done in order to deal with this threat. thank you very much. a big, urgent questions, big security questions on the minds of many in capitals around the minds of many in capitals around the world, most of all on the minds of afghans. this was a reminder that the crisis cannot be kept within the afghan border selectable would be hearing from the afghan ambassador stop —— later we will be hearing.

the taliban's takeover poses a major challenge for the international community. there was plenty of rhetoric at the g7 meeting earlier this week on the leverage the west might use against afghanistan's new rulers. but, after 20 years on the ground, what influence can western nations actually have, now that they're gone. here's caroline hawley. the taliban triumphant inside the presidential palace when they took kabuljust 12 days ago. its leaders are sanctioned as terrorists, but they are in charge of afghanistan now and calling the shots. as the taliban advanced through the country, western leaders had warned they would be international pariahs if they took power by force. they would be cut off from funds. now it has happened, and there is the dilemma of exactly how to respond. the g7 leaders, and the leaders of the eu, nato and the un, all agreed that we will stand united

in our approach to the taliban. the g7 has very considerable leverage, economic, diplomatic and political. now that the last troops are almost gone, western countries have very little political influence, while russia and china keep their embassies in the capital. the departing west may have less financial leverage than they hope. there are other ways for the taliban to raise revenue, as they have already been doing. it is notjust about drugs, which does get a lot of attention, but the taliban can generate billions from its control over lucrative trade routes and it controls the whole country. and there are other partners, and i think particularly the role of china could be pivotal here. earlier this week, the taliban proudly tweeted a picture of them meeting the chinese ambassador. the americans did have extensive dealings with the taliban,

talks that led to the deal struck in doha last year. it paved the way for the us to withdraw from afghanistan without being attacked, and the taliban promised in return not to harbour terrorists as they had during their last rule. education for girls is another key demand of the west, along with wider human rights, issues that won't particularly concern beijing. the difficulty with using economic leverage is that it only works if the target of your leverage has no other options. and in this case, the taliban does have the option of looking to the regional countries for support, and those countries, china, russia, iran, pakistan, are likely to be more flexible in their expectations of the taliban. the fear is that deepening poverty as well as fear will push more afghans to leave. europe is desperately worried that the taliban takeover, like the syrian war, will lead to a new flood of refugees that can't be contained in the region. so much is at stake now and so much riding on these men. they have not yet formed a government, but their next steps will dictate how the rest of the world responds.

caroline hawley, bbc news. let's look more closely at what it might mean for the outside world — especially the united states — to negotiate with the taliban. retired us army colonel, chris kolenda, is the first american to have both fought the taliban as a commander in combat and negotiated with them in peace talks — as a key pentagon representative at talks most recently in 2017. welcome, the first thing i have to put to you as we have heard reports that the head of the cia has talked to the taliban only this week. should such talks continue after sist should such talks continue after 31st august and about what? thank ou ve 31st august and about what? thank you very much _ 31st august and about what? thank you very much for _ 31st august and about what? thank you very much for having _ 31st august and about what? thank you very much for having me - 31st august and about what? thank you very much for having me on - 31st august and about what? “t�*ia'ir. you very much for having me on your programme. first let me say my heart just goes out to the families and loved ones of us service members killed in action and the afghans who were killed, 90 plus afghans killed.

i know what it's like to lose soldiers in combat and these particular soldiers and marines were trying to help innocent people get to safety and so my heart goes out to safety and so my heart goes out to them and their families. to safety and so my heart goes out to them and theirfamilies. in to safety and so my heart goes out to them and their families. in terms of contact with the taliban, i think it is really important to maintain an open channel to the taliban and to whatever government emerges from afghanistan. the united states in the world i think got three objectives as we look towards august 31 and beyond. the first is continuing to get people out safely, citizens and special immigrant visa holders, those who stood by us and want to leave the country. we will continue to work with the taliban and other afghans on the ground to get them out safely. secondly help them deal with the acute humanitarian crisis. any human

rights that are going on in afghanistan, nearly 20 million afghans are suffering severe food and water shortages. of course we got the human rights concerns, particularly women's rights and the third is enhanced by maintaining contacts with the taliban and i degraded by turning our backs on afghanistan. he spoke about what it was like to lose people on the battlefield. how did you deal with it, what was it like? ., ., ., , , , like? emotionally, it is very difficult being _ like? emotionally, it is very difficult being across - like? emotionally, it is very difficult being across the i like? emotionally, it is very i difficult being across the table like? emotionally, it is very - difficult being across the table or on the other side of the room from somebody who a moment before was trying to kill you and your soldiers and you were doing the same to them.

it is very emotional, and i found during those times that it is very important to separate, create some space between emotion and action. the first step is just to label the emotion, the anger, the sadness and all of those emotions that come inside you at that point. label that, and then second is create some space so you can take some action. so what is in our best interest, what is going to be in our long—term interests? when i was negotiating with insurgents on the ground, we found we had come —— common objectives in the safety and security of the people and things we could work together on and differences we could resolve. we found the same with the taliban. so the more that you can find those things that you agree on and work on them, the better of both parties are going to be. you

them, the better of both parties are going to be— going to be. you are giving us reasons to — going to be. you are giving us reasons to be _ going to be. you are giving us reasons to be engaged - going to be. you are giving us reasons to be engaged and i going to be. you are giving us - reasons to be engaged and negotiate. at what point would you advise walking away from? at what point do you say the taliban say one thing, it's different on the ground, at what point do you say they are not to be engaged with?— to be engaged with? exactly, you have two, ronald _ to be engaged with? exactly, you have two, ronald reagan - to be engaged with? exactly, you have two, ronald reagan would i to be engaged with? exactly, you i have two, ronald reagan would say trust but verify. you have to make sure both parties can make and meet commitments. the taliban have been saying a lot of the right things. the question is this are they going to do the right things? we have to monitor that very carefully. if the taliban show, which i don't think will be the case, but if they show their words are false, then of course you have a different calculation. i have tended to find, in my personal negotiations with the taliban over two sets of times, that

they were very consistent in meeting they were very consistent in meeting the commitments that they made. perhaps more so than the americans? i have tended to find that they were more consistent in meeting their commitments to us than we were in meeting our commitments to them, and thatis meeting our commitments to them, and that is one of the things and challenges that has undermined some trust from their site to ours. bier? trust from their site to ours. very briefl , trust from their site to ours. very briefly, should _ trust from their site to ours. very briefly, should the _ trust from their site to ours. very briefly, should the west - trust from their site to ours. very briefly, should the west recognise the taliban as the new government of afghanistan? brute the taliban as the new government of afghanistan?— afghanistan? we will see what comes out of the negotiations _ afghanistan? we will see what comes out of the negotiations with _ afghanistan? we will see what comes out of the negotiations with people i out of the negotiations with people like that back the taliban have said they do not want a monopoly on power. they want afghanistan to be successful, and they see having a coalition government as part of that. so we will see what comes out of that. those negotiations. and then the policy is that the

government makes. but i think it is in all of our interests in the west to keep in mind and evacuate those that we need to evacuate from afghanistan. help afghans deal with those severe humanitarian and human rights issues as well as the economic collapse, and then third is the counterterrorism. all of those are advanced. we work together or not when we turn our backs.- not when we turn our backs. thank ou ve not when we turn our backs. thank you very much _ not when we turn our backs. thank you very much for _ not when we turn our backs. thank you very much for your— not when we turn our backs. thank you very much for your expertise i not when we turn our backs. thank| you very much for your expertise in speaking to us on this bbc news special. you're watching a bbc news special about the crisis in afghanistan. kabul airport remains on high alert for more attacks. 13 us military personnel among others were killed. a growing number of countries have now ended their operations. the

white house says that more than 100,000 people have been evacuated since the lf began. the un warns up to half a million more afghans could flee as refugees by year end. thank you forjoining us on our bbc news special with me leads to set. the days are counted now for the very end of the us led nato military mission in afghanistan. no one would have expected it to end like this. nearly 20 years ago, when a us led invasion toppled the taliban. with that devastating attack yesterday, their double suicide bombing on kabul international airport, it is underlined again that even though it is the taliban that are in charge, it does not mean that the war is over and does not mean that peace

has been achieved. once the last us and british and other us forces leave, afghanistan will lead a new chapter. while it is a chapter of uncertainty, what is certain is that it is afghanistan's neighbours and near neighbours who will play the greatest role going forward in helping afghans to shape this new rule. we are going now to two capitals who are watching these developments closely and playing a big part. steve rosenberg is in moscow and robin brant is in shanghai. steve rosenberg, the russians were here as they pulled out the troops in 1899. in 2021, they have links with the taliban and interests in this working out. is it clear to you what the russians are doing, focusing on, in these last

moments of the us role and shift to a new chapter. it’s moments of the us role and shift to a new chapter-— a new chapter. it's interesting, because on _ a new chapter. it's interesting, because on paper, _ a new chapter. it's interesting, because on paper, still, - a new chapter. it's interesting, because on paper, still, russia labels the talent the ban —— the taliban terrorist organisation. moscow is taking and proud matic approach and is making it crystal clear that it wants to engage with the taliban and strike up a good working relationship with the group. the russian embassy remains open in kabul, and in recent days, the russian ambassador to kabul has been praising the taliban and that the group has been bringing order back to the streets of kabul. that is at odds with the fact that russia views the taliban as a terrorist organisation. i think the reason moscow is so keen to engage with the group is that it wants to try to exert a degree of influence over the taliban to try to nudge the taliban

towards compromise and moderation. it wants to discourage radicalism, because the last thing the russians want is for afghanistan under taliban rule to descend into chaos and for afghanistan to become a hotbed of radicalism and for afghanistan to become a staging post for islamist militants that could attack central asia, of. that is russia's priority now. it is to talk with the taliban. it is not that russia has suddenly come to the conclusion that they got it wrong about the taliban. it is pure pragmatism from the part of russia. steve rosenberg, acute analysis as always. robin brant in shanghai. you have been watching china as it becomes more and more involved in

international engagements, including afghanistan. how active do you think they are going to want to be in what will be their main priorities? it is not dissimilar _ will be their main priorities? it is not dissimilar to _ will be their main priorities? it is not dissimilar to the russians. beijing — not dissimilar to the russians. beijing has been quick to say to things— beijing has been quick to say to things and these are accurate words. it things and these are accurate words. it require _ things and these are accurate words. it require their sovereignty and the choice _ it require their sovereignty and the choice of— it require their sovereignty and the choice of the afghan people when kabul— choice of the afghan people when kabul fell. choice of the afghan people when kabulfell. it choice of the afghan people when kabul fell. it has also been quick to establish diplomatic relationships with the taliban. a delegation from the taliban was here injuly_ delegation from the taliban was here “1qu to— delegation from the taliban was here injuly to meet delegation from the taliban was here in july to meet with china's delegation from the taliban was here injuly to meet with china's foreign minisien _ injuly to meet with china's foreign minisien in— injuly to meet with china's foreign minister. in the days after kabul fell, there was definitely a sense of enjoying, frankly, new evidence, as beijing _ of enjoying, frankly, new evidence, as beijing sees it, of the decline of the _ as beijing sees it, of the decline of the us, — as beijing sees it, of the decline of the us, its great adversary. because — of the us, its great adversary. because of the events of the last za hours. _ because of the events of the last za hours. that— because of the events of the last za hours, that suicide bombing, we are

not going _ hours, that suicide bombing, we are not going to — hours, that suicide bombing, we are not going to see such referee in state _ not going to see such referee in state media, but it still sees it as a chance — state media, but it still sees it as a chance to — state media, but it still sees it as a chance to point to and capitalise on the _ a chance to point to and capitalise on the evidence of the decline on the international stage of the united — the international stage of the united states. but china's big worry is instability and insecurity. look at that— is instability and insecurity. look at that meeting back injuly. it was at that meeting back injuly. it was at that— at that meeting back injuly. it was at that meeting back injuly. it was at that meeting they were —— we are told they— at that meeting they were —— we are told they sought a soaring series from _ told they sought a soaring series from the — told they sought a soaring series from the taliban. as beijing sees it.~~~ _ from the taliban. as beijing sees it,... beijing, ithink, does it see an opportunity for development to build and — an opportunity for development to build and make things and dangled the dollars for the taliban. yet it sees _ the dollars for the taliban. yet it sees that — the dollars for the taliban. yet it sees that. does it see the opportunity to enter a bilateral relationship with the russians. there — relationship with the russians. there have been talks about trying

to but _ there have been talks about trying to put venter insurgents. how will the taliban— to put venter insurgents. how will the taliban actor and try and prevent— the taliban actor and try and prevent that country from becoming a hotbed _ prevent that country from becoming a hotbed of— prevent that country from becoming a hotbed of terrorism which china fears— hotbed of terrorism which china fears could spill over into that make — fears could spill over into that make it — fears could spill over into that make it seems to be between china and russia — make it seems to be between china and russia are a bit of a consensus on the _ and russia are a bit of a consensus on the main — and russia are a bit of a consensus on the main priorities going forward _ on the main priorities going forward. �* , ., ., forward. i'm sure we will more from both of you — forward. i'm sure we will more from both of you in _ forward. i'm sure we will more from both of you in the _ forward. i'm sure we will more from both of you in the days _ forward. i'm sure we will more from both of you in the days and - forward. i'm sure we will more from both of you in the days and weeks i forward. i'm sure we will more from| both of you in the days and weeks to come. thank you very much for joining us. it is china and russia as well as pakistan who haven't shut their embassies here and have no intention of doing so. qatar has also not shut its embassy. they are very much engaged in this transition programme —— process. of very much engaged in this transition programme —— process. of all the neighbours, it is pakistan who is seen as having the most crucial role of all, a country often charged with giving significant support to the

taliban, including military support and strategic advice during the taliban's successful move across afghanistan in recent months. when the taliban took to power, pakistan was one of three countries to recognise the taliban. so when i sat down with pakistan's ambassador in cobble this morning, i asked him how soon pakistan would want to recognise the taliban this time. so, we believe that once they take their own actions, they come forward with the controls of their administration, their political setup, the long—term constitutional issues, the question of recognition will come later. and we are engaged. we are not working in isolation. we are engaged with our neighbours, all neighbouring countries. we are engaged with the regional countries, russia, turkey and so many

other countries, qatar. we are engaged with the united states and we are engaged with all other european countries also. so i think it has to be a comprehensive international effort, even beyond this phase also. this horrific attack, which was claimed by islamic state, has underlined that security will be one of the main challenges. yes. again, there is criticism that, whether they are taliban or islamic state or haqqani network, they come across the border from pakistan. is this going to be a growing priority for you to try to play a role in ensuring that these attacks don't continue? these attacks are a big challenge. these attacks are a big threat... a big threat to the people of pakistan? to the people in afghanistan, first of all. those in airport operations, to the people in afghanistan. and pakistan has repeatedly said that we want to have

all kinds of bilateral cooperation with afghanistan and international cooperation for dealing with these threats, for impeding such terrorist groups for... but the fact that it was allowed to happen. yeah. they have to come from somewhere, and, as you know, the impression, if not the evidence, is that... but the pakistan—afghanistan border is not fully fenced. it's not fully fenced. we know the people can get in. and we are ready to ensure that only documented movements take place. only limited movements are taking place from the border to some designated points. so i think it is wrong to assume that these terrorist groups are using pakistan—afghanistan border. america has been putting pressure on you, and increasing pressure as they

now pull out, that you have got to do more. to ensure that terrorists do not go back and forth across the border. pakistan has undertaken a comprehensive effort inside pakistan. on counterterrorism, pakistan has taken a comprehensive effort on the border, and we have taken so important actions on our border within pakistan, but now these daesh elements... but more has to be done. more has to be done by everyone. it is wrong to assume that daesh elements are coming from pakistan. they may be coming from the middle east, where there is a lot of instability. daesh elements may be coming from other borders.

but there are strongholds in the east which are on your border. and badakhshan. the consultation of terrorist groups in badakhshan. pakistan's role will be absolutely crucial politically, security, to ensure that this does not collapse. the role of pakistan is crucial, but the role of other countries is also crucial, and we don't agree with pinpointing the blame on pakistan. pakistan has done more than any other country to fight terrorism, but having said that, we continue to engage with the international community in ensuring that even more can be done for dealing with, effectively dealing with the threat or challenge of terrorism. this is in our own interests. this is in the interests of the international community, so the attack that was taken yesterday, we condemn those attacks. and yes, it is important. that is why it is important that a stable political setup has to be established in afghanistan, an inclusive political setup, an inclusive political setup then a road map has to be set up

short—term and then long term. it will involve a lot of continued engagement from the international community in this process. ambassador of pakistan and beside its readiness to play its part. bud its readiness to play its part. and of course pakistan is also yet again taking in thousands and thousands of afghans, fleeing another chapter of war in this country. it is concern thatis war in this country. it is concern that is going round the world. let's go back to london to join philippa thomas. as we've been reporting this hour a growing number of countries have completed their emergency airlifts from kabul airport. the last people to leave are now arriving in europe — many are arriving at the us air force's ramstein base in germany. it's a temporary home to wait for their next flight — to a new life in the united states, but keeping pace with the scale of arrivals is a huge logistical challenge. jean mackenzie visited the base in the hours before the attacks in kabul. the smile says it all. these are the lucky ones.

kabul�*s latest evacuees touched down near minutes ago. there is evidence of the chaos they left behind. families have been separated, more than a dozen children are here alone. some arrivals are treated for gunshot wounds, still fresh from their struggle to get out of the country. but the us commander running this base urges people not to lose sight of their gains. this is about humanity and there are young women that can read today, there are people that are alive today because of the us. whatever policy decision and whether it's 20, 30 years, that's way out of my league. but i'm just focused on people that are coming today and the people that we have helped over those 20 years. this is a mission like no other in the air base's history. in a week, it has been transformed into both a refugee camp and an international airport. the pressure is on, they are expecting 10,000 people to arrive here today alone. this is by far the biggest

moment in this operation. they won't say when the last flight is expected, only that by tonight, they expect to be at capacity at this airbase. so it is clear that we are into the final push to get people out. there are nowjust a handful of days before all us troops are scheduled to withdraw from afghanistan. we know the task on the ground is daunting. what we are working on right now is focused on getting as many people out of afghanistan as possible and bringing them to safe locations. what is the plan for the people who you can't get out? so, that's, that's a tough question and i... we are going to keep on advocating to get people out of afghanistan through our channels. but on this tarmac, there is relief. this is the final leg of their escape. a flight to the us and a new home. a world away from the one they fled. jean mckenzie, bbc news, ramstein air base, in germany.

this is a very decisive moment in afghanistan, a moment of cause to look to the future and to reflect on the past. of all the mistakes and missteps over the last 20 years, progress was made. especially for a young generation of afghans. we are joined by someone who played a leading role in the political change that happened in afghanistan and someone —— progress when it cames to women's rights. thank you very much forjoining us here in this bbc news special. let's talk to politician and women's rights advocate shukria ba ra kzai. what is your main concern now? what is your —— what is at the top of your mind. is your -- what is at the top of your mind-— is your -- what is at the top of our mind. �* ., .. , your mind. all of the achievements we made and _ your mind. all of the achievements we made and all _ your mind. all of the achievements we made and all of _ your mind. all of the achievements we made and all of the _ your mind. all of the achievements we made and all of the greatest. we made and all of the greatest effort we put together to change lives, and time and progress, it

seems to me that that was like a dream. i'm now in the nightmare stage. i think those efforts need to be saved. i have no idea how we can save those efforts, but this is important to keep safe those efforts. i think that miscalculation and run calculation of the afghan situation and especially the ground reality in afghanistan has made afghanistan into such a chaos at the moment, but that is important for women and people in afghanistan to keep faith and not give up. those significant changes will guide afghanistan for our future. i significant changes will guide afghanistan for ourfuture. i don't know if the taliban will accept that reality or not, but i hope that with finger pressure on their veins, they can understand that this is a new afghanistan. this is why i think this is very important at the moment

globally and widely to put pressure on the taliban to change their behaviour from worse to bad into good and accept fundamental rights and especially women's rights and minorities rights and build trust among people in themselves and their words and actions should be equal in the same at least at some point. you have talked — the same at least at some point. you have talked to _ the same at least at some point. you have talked to the taliban many times in recent years. you were the victim of an attack which was widely blamed on the taliban. you were listening to their promises. what do you look —— what do you personally think? do you think they will at least keep some of them? to be honest, according _ least keep some of them? to be honest, according to _ least keep some of them? to be honest, according to my - least keep some of them? trr as: honest, according to my experience and what is the reality, they are speaking very well and beautifully they are putting sentences together,

to show us a cuckoo land. when it comes to the reality, i think they are getting more harsh. they are not fulfilling their promises that they made to the people of afghanistan all the agreement internationally. this is the time that afghanistan can understand afghanistan cannot only lead by scholars, but they need a system and they need to provide assistance and services to the people. i think it is better for them to open their eyes as soon as they can, otherwise, if they go blindly the way it is at the moment, i think soon they will fold down. this is what i can say about it. neighbouring countries keep emphasising the need for an inclusive afghan government. we have seen there have been discussions involving political leaders like the former president. do you really

think that the taliban a ring chested in inclusivity, or is this just talk. i chested in inclusivity, or is this 'ust talk. ~ , just talk. i think everything will be clear after _ just talk. i think everything will be clear after the _ just talk. i think everything will be clear after the 1st _ just talk. i think everything will be clear after the 1st of - just talk. i think everything will| be clear after the 1st of august. just talk. i think everything will. be clear after the 1st of august. -- be clear after the 1st of august. —— the 31st of august. their political picture will come out, both socially and militarily. the pressure on the taliban is about the inclusive government, but the taliban are committed to that or not? all of their appointees are only religious gullies —— scholars. if you see their list of nominees it is just then. i don't believe they will trust and believe others to form a government. i trust and believe others to form a government-— trust and believe others to form a government. i know this will not be the last we — government. i know this will not be the last we hear— government. i know this will not be the last we hear from _ government. i know this will not be the last we hear from you. - government. i know this will not be the last we hear from you. you - government. i know this will not be the last we hear from you. you will| the last we hear from you. you will continue to speak out at a time, we

can't emphasise enough, is a time of shattered dreams. just listening to her, afghanistan still hoping against hope that something can be pulled out of this which moves afghanistan forward. back to you in london. while we have been on air, i can see the cameras that are trained on the skies above cobble airport. i would say there has been a flight taking off about every five minutes, and what we have been hearing from washington is that the us ever that and partners have evacuated more than 100,000 people now. there are afghans desperately trying to get to the airport now but we are told the roads have been blocked. it is desperate indeed and all afghans are asking of the world now is don't forget afghanistan. you are focused now on the airport but don't take your focus off the air country as it

moves fearfully into a new chapter. the war may not be over, but we will continue to follow it. thank you for watching. there is variable amounts of clouds today like we had yesterday but some areas will stay sunny and will feel areas will stay sunny and will feel a touch warmer than what it did yesterday. that is because there will be a bit more sunshine. our area of high pressure dominating the scene and still quite breezy across the south—east corner. it is in these areas we will see them as patchy cloud, but there will be some sunny spells in between there. the best of the sunshine across scotland and northern ireland and the western fringes of wales and into western england as well. 21 or 22 celsius will be the high, but still quite

cool along the north sea coast are particularly across the south—east corner. tonight stays dry once again with variable amounts of cloud across northern and eastern areas. temperatures here dropping in the west into single figures. but where we have the cloud and breeze just into double figures. very little change over this weekend. our area of high pressure stays put and will remain dry. the centre of the high drifts towards the west of the uk this weekend. it could allow a threat of just one this weekend. it could allow a threat ofjust one or two showers to scrape past the very far per south—east into coastal kent but i think even here it should stay largely dry. there is of cloud through central and eastern areas and plenty of sunshine in the north—west and hear the wins will be like to. it could feel a little bit warmer on saturday afternoon. highs into the low 20s. we could even see

higher temperatures across central and southern england as well. for sunday, a similar story. a bit of moisture on the northerly breeze across northern areas so that may give a little more cloud across scotland and northern ireland and perhaps north and eastern england. the best of the sunshine across the southern and western areas. bank holiday looks like another dry one, perhaps a bit of cloud around and top temperatures 20 or 21 celsius.

this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines. the uk government says it's stopping civilian evacuations from kabul after today — and admits some people will be left behind. we are now processing approximately the last 1000 people on the inside of the airfield and will fly them out today. that is effectively where we start to the next stage, the evacuation of our troops. following yesterday's terror attacks at the airport, hospitals in kabul are overwhelmed with the wounded — president biden promises to hunt down those responsible. we will not forgive, we will not forget — we will not forgive, we will not forget. we will hunt you down and make _ forget. we will hunt you down and make you — forget. we will hunt you down and make you pay. in other news: a new study finds

that the risk of blood clots