President Biden Decides To Stick With Aug. 31 Final Pullout From Kabul

NATO partners and other countries say they will have to shut down their own evacuations if the U.S. withdraws.

President Joe Biden has decided to stick with his Aug. 31 deadline for completing the U.S.-led evacuation from Afghanistan, an administration official said Tuesday. The decision reflects in part the U.S. military's concern about heightened security threats to the massive airlift that began ten days ago. A Taliban spokesman, speaking prior to word of President Biden's decision, reiterated that the militant group would oppose any extension of the deadline. It has allowed the airlift to continue without major interference. Pressure from U.S. allies and both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, veterans groups and refugee organizations has grown for President Biden to extend his deadline, which he set well before the Taliban completed its lightning takeover of Afghanistan on Aug. 15. It remains unclear whether the airlift from Kabul's international airport can get out all American citizens and other foreigners by then, as well as former military and translators and other at-risk Afghans who fear for their lives under Taliban rule.