Within the final 24 hours, the Taliban has swept by way of main components of Afghanistan, taking their tenth main metropolis. And whereas the networks all gave that substantial protection on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, one individual was principally lacking: Joe Biden. The night newscasts and morning exhibits barely talked about the President of america, simply 28 seconds.
On Thursday’s Good Morning America, Amy Robach warned, “The Taliban seizing management of an increasing number of territory with all U.S. troops set to withdraw by the top of this month, considerations are rising that the militants might take the capital.” On CBS This Morning, reporter Roxana Saberi associated dangerous information concerning the capital: “Right here in Kabul, life seems to be carrying on roughly as ordinary. However for the way lengthy is unclear.”
She referred to as it “The most important prize for the Taliban” and nervous that the “metropolis might fall, might come beneath assault in as little as 30 days.” However solely Wednesday’s World Information Tonight provided an precise query to Joe Biden — the man accountable for pulling out all troops – throughout protection:
IAN PANNELL: Our Stephanie Ramos asking the President concerning the Taliban’s speedy good points.
STEPHANIE RAMOS: There may be irrefutable proof {that a} overwhelming majority of Afghan forces can not maintain floor there. Has your present plan to withdraw U.S. troops modified in any respect?
JOE BIDEN: They have to combat for themselves. Battle for his or her nation. We’ll proceed to maintain our dedication, however I don’t remorse my choice.
That was 23 seconds. On Wednesday’s CBS Night Information, David Martin provided this worrying word: “The Biden administration is now contemplating whether or not to start evacuating the U.S. Embassy.” That was an extra 5 seconds.
One would assume that Biden’s botched plan to withdraw all troops could be coming beneath scrutiny as we watch a gradual movement catastrophe. However journalists cowl Biden within the passive voice. Issues simply HAPPEN now. Nobody’s actually accountable. However this isn’t new. Back in May, ABC’s Nightline devoted 16 minutes to the Afghanistan exit and doable looming debacle, however solely 16 seconds to Biden’s precise choice.
[On Thursday, CBS This Morning and ABC’s Good Morning America covered Afghanistan — with no mention of Biden. NBC’s Today skipped the topic entirely. On Wednesday, all three morning shows covered the Taliban gains, but only ABC and CBS allowed Biden mentions.]
The surprising cover-up of Biden’s duty for the Afghanistan catastrophe was sponsored by Carmax on Good Morning America and Stanley Steemer on CBS This Morning. Click on on the hyperlinks to allow them to know what you assume.
Partial transcripts are under. Click on “increase” to learn extra.
Good Morning America
8/12/2021
7:14:01 to 7:15:58
AMY ROBACH: Effectively now abroad to Afghanistan. The Taliban seizing management of an increasing number of territory with all U.S. troops set to withdraw by the top of this month, considerations are rising that the militants might take the capital. Ian Pannell has the most recent on all of this. Good morning, Ian.
IAN PANNELL: Yeah, good morning, Amy. That is beginning to sound acquainted, proper? The Taliban advancing as soon as extra. Now taking their tenth main metropolis this morning closing in on Kandahar within the south and naturally their major goal of Kabul, the capital. They’re now simply 80 miles away and, after all, it is residence to the U.S. embassy and tons of of U.S. troops. In a single day video launched by the Afghan authorities apparently displaying air strikes on Taliban positions in Kandahar however their efforts aren’t doing sufficient to gradual them down.
In a video launched by the militants displaying what seems to be a few of their rising arsenal, a helicopter left behind by retreating authorities forces and a treasure trove of Humvees and heavy gear as a former military base now beneath their command. The pace and ferocity of their takeover is bewildering. Gunfire echoes by way of many Afghan streets as terrified residents are pressured to run for his or her lives. And the militants parade their victories, right here within the western metropolis of Fara, a Taliban video displaying fighters patrolling the streets and within the north one other video displaying their white flag hoisted excessive. They now management nearly two-thirds of the nation. Effectively, that U.S. navy evaluation additionally suggesting the capital may very well be remoted in as few as 30 days and, after all, all U.S. troops shall be out by the top of the month however the plan is for the embassy to hold on working. Given the pace of the Taliban advance, you bought to assume the safety scenario for the embassy employees is beneath fixed assessment. Michael.
CBS This Morning
8/12/2021
7:17:15
TONY DOKOUPIL: Afghanistan’s authorities is saying nothing this morning concerning the latest victory by Taliban fighters. They captured a key metropolis on a serious north-south freeway. And it’s a part of a crushing, week-long advance that is taking place whereas the U.S. prepares to withdraw the final of its troops by the top of this month. Roxanne Saberi is in Kabul for us. That’s Afghanistan’s capital. Roxanne, good morning to you. As we perceive it, the Taliban are getting ever nearer to the place you’re proper now.
ROXANA SABERI: That’s proper, Tony. An area official tells us the Taliban has taken town of Ghazni as we speak. That metropolis is barely about 90 miles southwest of us right here within the capital Kabul. Ghazni is the tenth provisional capital to fall to the Taliban in solely every week. Most have been within the north. However a couple of have been within the south and west. The insurgents speedy victory are slicing off cities beneath authorities management and overwhelming Afghan forces. At the moment the U.S. embassy says the Taliban may very well be committing warfare crimes. In a metropolis, the Taliban dragging the useless physique of an Afghan safety pressure member by way of town shouting “God is nice.” Elsewhere the Taliban are displaying off their Humvees they’ve seized from coalition forces. The preventing has pressured tons of of hundreds to flee in current months. Many are coming to Kabul looking for security. They’ve left behind their residence, belongings and even family members, killed within the preventing. And now they are saying there’s nowhere else to go. Right here in Kabul life seems to be carrying on roughly as ordinary. However for the way lengthy is unclear. This may be the most important prize for the Taliban and in accordance with a U.S. navy evaluation, this metropolis might fall, might come beneath assault in as little as 30 days.
World Information Tonight
8/11/2021
6:47 PM ET
23 seconds on Biden
IAN PANNELL: Our Stephanie Ramos asking the president concerning the Taliban’s speedy good points.
There may be irrefutable proof {that a} overwhelming majority of Afghan forces can not maintain floor there. Has your present plan to withdraw U.S. Troops modified in any respect?
JOE BIDEN: They have to combat for themselves. Battle for his or her nation. We’ll proceed to maintain our dedication, however I don’t remorse my choice.
CBS Night Information
8/11/2021
5 seconds on Biden
DAVID MARTIN: The Biden administration is now contemplating whether or not to start evacuating the U.S. Embassy.
