The Interpreters the U.S. Left Behind in Afghanistan

<p><i>This episode contains strong language.</i></p><p>Weeks ago, as the Taliban undertook a major military offensive in Afghanistan, the U.S. accelerated its evacuation of Afghans who aided them and feared retribution. </p><p>Many, however, remain in the country. </p><p>“I hope we do right by these people, but I hope we do it quickly,” Andrew Vernon, said a former Marine who has sought help for an interpreter he worked with. “But I am fully prepared to be fully disappointed as well.”</p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/signup/NTTD?smid=pc-thedaily">Sign up here</a> to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Through WhatsApp and Facebook messages, Afghans who served as interpreters <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/22/us/politics/afghanistan-usa-war.html?smid=pc-thedaily">are asking former colleagues in America to get them out</a> as the Taliban close in.</li><li>Many of those who worked alongside U.S. troops have waited years for visas to come to the United States. The speedy withdrawal of forces <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/us/politics/thousands-of-afghans-who-helped-the-us-are-trapped-what-happens-next.html?smid=pc-thedaily">left most of them behind</a>.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>