Escape from Kabul

Greetings again from the darkness. We watched it play out on television, seemingly getting worse and more tragic and more convoluted by the day. It was painful to watch the United States evacuation of Afghanistan, and now, Jamie Roberts documents what actually happened with previously unseen archival footage supplemented with remarkably candid personal interviews.

The war was in its 18th year when, in 2020, President Trump announced we would be ending the war and bringing our folks home. It was President Biden who gave the final deadline for evacuation by August 2021. Of course, most of us doubted it could happen that swiftly, and given what unfolded, maybe it shouldn't have.

Previously unseen footage is remarkable, and certainly provides a true sense of what was happening at the time and how our undermanned military faced numerous obstacles - some dangerous, others humanitarian - and performed admirably given the circumstance. The insight from the Marines who were there is especially impactful, and their recollections cut to the quick. Their mission was to evacuate US citizens and "at risk" Afghans who had been helpful to the cause, but we learn the first couple of days were spent evacuating "VIPs" ... always a sign of political motivation.

It was literally day 2 (August 15) when the Taliban seized control of Kabul, causing desperation and fear and chaos. The footage is vivid in showing what was happening, and how confusion permeated every action. It's stunning to watch as Taliban leaders are interviewed and laugh at the US for such a botched plan after a two-decade war. Interviews with some Afghan citizens who made it out display the emotions of those driven from the homes under extreme stress. And those Marines offer the most direct feedback for the operation and the no-win decisions they faced when deciding who could leave.

We have all seen the newscast images of those desperately clinging the airplanes, but what about the canal of sewage many spent days wading in, hoping for a chance to leave? The "deal" struck with the Taliban to allow evacuations is a bit confusing to us, but even more so to the Marines stationed at the time. Despite 124,000 people being evacuated and most of the military equipment destroyed prior to the last plane filled with Marines, it's still sickening to see the Taliban immediately shift into victory celebration mode. We know where this is headed, and so do those who remained.

An HBO documentary premiering on September 21, 2022.

After Trump signed 2020 treaty with Taliban, the State Department had more than a year to plan evacuation. Did Trump's decimation of the 'Deep State' affect State Dept & Pentagon plans?

Biden had 7 months to evacuate Americans & Afghan allies too whilst recovering economy from pandemic.

I recently rewatched Ken Burns 'The Vietnam War' evacuation of Saigon. America would stall that evacuation too, wanting to appear strong for Vietnam Republic.. The US Ambassador didn't allow evacuations until last days.

Both corrupt government allies in Vietnam & Afghanistan had part in poor withdrawal.

Yes we are thankful and proud of our volunteer veterans, am sorry for the women and children that will suffer the most under Taliban.

Bush should have been prosecuted for war crimes. How could withdrawal from Kabul be more FUBAR than the 20 yrs of graft in that country, just like Vietnam.

Afghanistan, a place, a land, a country, which perhaps will never remain under the control of anyone, as in the past most likely in the future too.

This land has seen bloodshed more then any place in the world. Kabul today is there's, tomorrow someone else. The fight, the battles will go on, sadly.

Taliban, it was expected that they perhaps this time would be different then the ones in 90's, some might are, but the majority of these people are illiterate and not in knowledge of modern or Islamic teachings. They were filled with hate, they were taught all inhumane act(s) they can carry out and there is only principle to rule is through fear.

There are many stories, in these last days, especially, not covered in this documentary. How the top leadership fled through the same airport carrying billions. How the so called trained Afghan forces just fell like a house of cards. It shows that the American achieved nothing but failure in the last 20 years.

There were many other airlines, who out of their heroics help fleeing people out of Kabul, the documentary remains untouched over that part. Though it has shown some events and it will touch you.

Freedom always has a price. Always will have a price.

This movie is not your ordinary Hollywood flick. It has a great and deep message. This movie has a foundation and just kept on being built on from their and that foundation is hope. This was a great movie. The whole writing of the script and story which was almost accurate was very good, the way the documentary was made it was brilliant and I believe the credit goes to everyone involved but specially The Production and The Producers which made so much effort for collecting and analysing the data.

AND Special thanks to *Z. A* this was best mainly because of you, you are the best, Keep it uppp.

This documentary was great. Heartbreaking and eye opening. I just cant believe how the BIden regime thought it was a good idea announce our departure before planning the logistics of evacuating all those people. The death of those 13 marines and 170 Afghani's is Joe Bidens fault! Hes a failure as a senator, as a father and as President.

I would easily recommend this documentary. It should help us reflect on the freedoms and blessed lives we all have here in the US. We should always consider the sacrifices the men and women of our military have made in this 20 year war that was pointless. Only because of the spineless war bureaucrats that serve as politicians.