A U.S. Marine’s View From Kabul’s Airport As the City Fell to the Taliban

One year ago, on August 15, 2021, the Taliban swept into power in Kabul.

It’s a day that many remember, as videos and images showed a chaotic scene at the Kabul airport, with thousands of Afghans desperately trying to flee the country.

Lt. Col. Chris Richardella was one of the officers leading the U.S. Marine Corps at the airport when the Taliban took over. In a conversation with NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly, he recounts what followed.

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