August 17, 2021

Afghan diplomats in Washington and New York are putting on a brave face as they battle the fall of their home country to the Taliban, the likely loss of employment in the U.S., and their fears for the fate of family members and friends stuck in Afghanistan.

For now, they’re just trying to do their day jobs — which have become a desperate effort to help Afghans escape amid widespread reports of retribution carried out against those who helped the Americans.

Afghanistan’s embassy in Washington is still operational for now, even though the Taliban threw out the government that sent Ambassador Adela Raz here. On Monday, the embassy’s receptionist still answered the phone, “Embassy of Afghanistan — how may I help you?”

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