Taliban forces patrol a street in Herat, Afghanistan. Kabul and Jalalabad, in eastern Afghanistan, are now the only big cities not in Taliban hands. Police officials however denied reports that the Taliban had advanced closer to Kabul from Pul-e-Alam, which is a staging post for a potential assault on the capital. Biden has faced rising domestic criticism as the Taliban have taken city after city far more quickly than predicted. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday held talks with local leaders and international partners, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 15, 2021 02:15 UTC