Never Forget: 20 Years Later

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The tragic deaths of nearly 3,000 on that day, along with the thousands more who have died from diseases causes by inhaling the dust from the collapsed towers, have remained an indelible part of America's collective memory two decades later.

While we can never forget the sadness of that day, the response reminded all of the resilience and resolve of the American people. We will never forget the heroism and bravery shown on that day along with the service and sacrifice shown by American and allied troops in the years following.

Never Forget: 9/11/2001 - 9/11/2021

US Leaves Afghanistan after Evacuation Marred by Tragedy

The last American plane departed from Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport Monday, one day before President Joe Biden’s self-imposed deadline to end American military presence in the country. The departure caps the chaotic end to America’s longest war that saw its foe recapture power after over 20 years of conflict.

The flashpoint of the evacuation was the suicide bombing that killed 13 US servicemembers as well as dozens of Afghan civilians. US officials have blamed the attack on members of the ISIS-Khorasan Province group, more commonly referred to as ISIS-K.

The evacuation was necessitated by the lightning fast takeover by the Taliban following the withdrawal of US forces from the country. Most of Afghanistan’s large cities fell within weeks of each other, with Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, the last holdout among large population centers. When the Taliban captured Kabul on August 15, thousands of foreign citizens remaining in the city, prompting the US to take control over Hamid Karzai airport to facilitate evacuations.

While thousands of civilians were evacuated, the ability to do so without further conflict relied on cooperation from the Taliban, which the US and other allied forced had been fighting for nearly 20 years. The US has not committed to recognizing the Taliban-led government.

President Biden has seen a sharp decrease in his approval ratings following the chaotic withdrawal from the country, with his disapproval rating now topping his approval rating, according to 538. Biden has tried to shift the focus to the end of the war itself, rather than the handling of the evacuation, as polls have shown a  majority of Americans approve of withdrawing from Afghanistan.

 

Hurricane Ida Strikes Louisiana on Katrina Anniversary

 Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana Sunday, brining damaging flooding and winds to the region. It made landfall exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina struck the same region on August 29, 2005.

The storm knocked out power for many in its path, with  1 million customer still without power as of Monday night. No major flooding was reported within the New Orleans flood control system, a testament to the post-Katrina updates that aimed to prevent the catastrophic destruction the city experienced.

At least two people have been killed by the storm, one by a falling tree and one by drowning in his car in flood waters.

Ida’s 150 mile per hour winds at landfall made it one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the US directly, though its lower storm surge than Katrina has prevented the widespread catastrophic flooding that made Katrina the most expensive natural disaster in US history.

 

Infrastructure Bill Likely to Pass Senate

 A bipartisan infrastructure package is poised to be passed by the Senate next week. The $550 billion plan, far below what President Joe Biden initially pushed for, is still a work-in-progress, with the final text not yet complete. It aims to provide billions in funding for physical infrastructure, as well as gather revenue from higher customs fees and stricter cryptocurrency transaction reporting requirements.

Some progressives are unsatisfied with the plan, favoring higher spending on a broader array of projects. Another massive $3.5 trillion spending package, covering issues ranging from climate change, immigration, taxes, and social spending, remains a priority for most Democrats, though some moderates, like Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), have criticized that plan's high price tag.

 

US, China Jockey for Top Place at Tokyo Olympics

The US and China lead the way in performance at the Tokyo Olympics, with the US currently leading in the medal count with 19 gold, 20 silver, and 13 bronze. China currently leads the pack in gold medals, winning 22 so far. It adds 13 silver and 12 bronze for a total medal count of 47.

The United States has gathered many of its medals from swimming events, which has been US-dominated in recent Olympic games. China meanwhile has flexed their strength in shooting events.

These Olympics, delayed one year because of the coronavirus pandemic, are the first time Japan has hosted the Olympics since 1964. These games are notable for the lack of attendees during events and the wearing of masks before and after events by the athletes.