{"id":675556,"date":"2021-08-23T12:06:19","date_gmt":"2021-08-23T16:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=675556"},"modified":"2021-08-23T12:06:22","modified_gmt":"2021-08-23T16:06:22","slug":"morning-wire-americans-stranded-in-afghanistan-the-state-of-al-qaeda-nyc-businesses-sue-over-vaccine-mandate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/morning-wire-americans-stranded-in-afghanistan-the-state-of-al-qaeda-nyc-businesses-sue-over-vaccine-mandate\/","title":{"rendered":"Morning Wire: Americans Stranded In Afghanistan, The State Of Al Qaeda, NYC Businesses Sue Over Vaccine Mandate"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmorning-wire-americans-stranded-in-afghanistan-the-state-of-al-qaeda-nyc-businesses-sue-over-vaccine-mandate%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=675556&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p class=\"p2\"><b>1) <\/b><b>Americans Stranded In Afghanistan<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>The Topline: <\/b><span>As the American withdrawal from Afghanistan continues, the Biden administration is facing heavy pressure for what many are saying was a failed military strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CPAC\/status\/1428820083342708748\"><b>Quote Of The Day:&nbsp;<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span>\u201cI have seen no question of our credibility from our allies around the world.\u201d <\/span><span>\u2014<\/span><span> President Joe Biden&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Americans In Afghanistan<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>During a Pentagon press conference on Saturday, Major General Hank Taylor said that only 2,500 Americans had been evacuated from Afghanistan so far, which reportedly means at least 7,500 are still in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Americans who are stuck outside the Kabul airport perimeter are being warned by U.S. officials not to travel there because of potential security threats outside the gates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Pentagon spokesman John Kirby refused to confirm or deny whether groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda were operating outside the airport.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_279555\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" readability=\"31\">\n<div id=\"attachment_279752\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" readability=\"32\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-279752\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-279752\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1234758010-300x200.jpg\" alt width=\"551\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1234758010-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1234758010.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 551px) 100vw, 551px\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-279752\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>AREF KARIMI\/AFP\/Contributor via Getty Images<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Kabul Airport<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>The situation outside the airport is becoming more precarious by the day. According to some reports, the Taliban are threatening to shoot evacuees while stealing their passports. Over the weekend, the Pentagon contradicted President Biden when they confirmed that the Taliban are harassing and beating American citizens who are trying to reach the airport.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>According to an internal email, the Defense Contract Management Agency is telling its personnel to refrain from trying to help friends and former colleagues still in the country. Instead, according to the email, Americans in Afghanistan should be told that the State Department is the \u201cappropriate organization to contact.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>U.S. Airlines Called Into Service<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>On Sunday, the Pentagon activated what is known as the Civil Reserve Air Fleet for the third time in the history of the U.S., allowing the military to use commercial airlines to assist with the evacuation efforts.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>The twenty airlines affected by this order won\u2019t fly to or from Afghanistan, but will instead ferry evacuees from bases in Germany, Qatar, and Bahrain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>American Allies Respond<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>The Vice President of the European Commission described the U.S. withdrawal as a \u201ccatastrophe,\u201d while Armin Laschet, Angela Merkel\u2019s likely successor in Germany said it was \u201cthe greatest debacle that NATO has seen since its foundation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Tony Blair, the former U.K. Prime Minister, who sent troops into Afghanistan twenty years ago, said the withdrawal was based on an \u201cimbecilic\u201d slogan about ending \u201cforever wars.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>When Fox News\u2019 Chris Wallace asked Secretary of State Anthony Blinken about the concern of many that President Biden doesn\u2019t have a full understanding of what\u2019s unfolding in Afghanistan, he <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RNCResearch\/status\/1429449594325323784\"><span>said<\/span><\/a><span> that it is an \u201cemotional time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Military Equipment<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>According to reports, the Biden administration is now considering launching airstrikes against American military equipment that was left behind, but they also fear that these strikes could \u201cprovoke\u201d the Taliban.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_279556\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" readability=\"31\">\n<div id=\"attachment_279759\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" readability=\"32\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-279759\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-279759\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Afghan-5-scaled-1-300x169.jpeg\" alt width=\"598\" height=\"337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2021\/08\/Afghan-5-scaled-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2021\/08\/Afghan-5-scaled-1.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-279759\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>MARCUS YAM \/ LOS ANGELES TIMES<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><b>2) <\/b><b>The State Of <\/b><b>Al Qaeda<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>The Topline: <\/b><span>One of the many concerning factors about the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan is the safe haven the group may provide for other terror groups. According to President Biden\u2019s Defense Department Press Secretary, Al Qaeda is still present in the country.<\/span><span>&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Al Qaeda Activity&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Al Qaeda <\/span><span>\u2014 the<\/span><span> same terrorist group responsible for the 9\/11 attacks on the U.S. <\/span><span>\u2014 <\/span><span>still has a presence in Afghanistan, although their presence has been significantly diminished. In June, the <\/span><span>United Nations Security Council released a report that estimated Al Qaeda is still operating in at least 15 of Afghanistan\u2019s 34 provinces.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>On Wednesday, the Defense Department\u2019s inspector general said in a report \u201c<\/span><span>the Taliban continued to maintain its relationship with al-Qaeda, providing safe haven for the terrorist group in Afghanistan.\u201d&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>On Friday, <\/span><span>Defense Department Press Secretary John Kirby was asked how many Al Qaeda operatives are still in Afghanistan. Kirby wasn\u2019t able to give an exact number, but he said, \u201cwe know that Al Qaeda is a presence as well as ISIS in Afghanistan.\u201d Kirby added that while Al Qaeda still operates there, the terrorist group\u2019s presence is not significant enough to be a \u201cthreat to our homeland.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How Large Is Al Qaeda?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>The exact number of Al Qaeda operatives is unknown at this point, but a United Nations report from last year estimated that there are <\/span><span>\u201cbetween 400 and 600 armed operatives\u201d in Afghanistan alone.<\/span><span>The group also has a presence outside of Afghanistan.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>One of its direct affiliates, called Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, operates primarily in <\/span><span>Yemen and Saudi Arabia<\/span><span>. <\/span><span>In Iraq, Al Qaeda\u2019s affiliates eventually became ISIS. The group is also known to operate in other countries as well, such as Russia, Pakistan, and India. Some affiliates have specifically said they intend to attack American targets in their <\/span><span>regions.<\/span><b>&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>The Bottom Line: <\/b><span>Al Qaeda is the reason the U.S. went to Afghanistan to begin with, so the idea that they will be empowered by the Taliban takeover is of deep concern for American security.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_279557\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" readability=\"31\">\n<div id=\"attachment_279754\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" readability=\"32\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-279754\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-279754\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1333262936-300x200.jpg\" alt width=\"572\" height=\"381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1333262936-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1333262936.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 572px) 100vw, 572px\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-279754\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Michael M. Santiago\/Staff\/Getty Images<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><b>3) <\/b><b>NYC Businesses Sue Over Vaccine Mandate&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>The Topline: <\/b><span>Businesses in New York City are suing the mayor over the city\u2019s new vaccine mandate, which bars the unvaccinated from certain indoor activities.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The Lawsuit&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>A <\/span><span>group of small businesses in New York City filed a lawsuit last week claiming the new vaccine mandate is \u201c<\/span><span>arbitrary and capricious\u201d because it targets certain establishments but not others. Th<\/span><span>e businesses said there should be religious and medical exemptions to the mandate, which it doesn\u2019t currently include.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>They also said the mandate prevents people who don\u2019t want to get a COVID-19 vaccine from earning a living, since it applies to employees as well as customers at many businesses. The lawsuit is seeking a permanent injunction against the mandate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The NYC Vaccine Mandate<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>New Yorkers currently have to show proof of vaccination to dine indoors at restaurants and bars, go to the gym, or attend indoor events like concerts and plays. The mandate went into effect last Tuesday, but it won\u2019t be enforced until September 13th.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Businesses that <\/span><span>fail to comply face a $1,000 dollar fine for a first violation, a $2,000 fine for a second, and $5,000 fines for each further violation.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Vaccinations In NYC<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Five percent of New York City adults are unvaccinated, with minorities being most likely to have not received the shot. <\/span><span>Only a third of black New Yorkers and 44% of Hispanic New Yorkers are fully vaccinated.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Brooklyn and th<\/span><span>e Bronx have a much higher minority population and a much lower vaccination rate than Manhattan, so according to experts, the mandate effectively punishes minorities, since nearly 50% of whites in the city are fully vaccinated.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_279009\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" readability=\"31\">\n<div id=\"attachment_279755\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" readability=\"32\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-279755\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-279755\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1234783861-300x169.jpeg\" alt width=\"604\" height=\"340\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1234783861-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/dw-wp-production.imgix.net\/2021\/08\/GettyImages-1234783861.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-279755\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>DAVID GRAY\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p2\"><b>Other Stories We\u2019re Tracking<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Biden\u2019s Approval Rating Plummets<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>President Biden\u2019s approval rating has dropped below 50%, reaching the lowest point of his presidency so far. According to a new NBC poll, only 25% of Americans approve of the president\u2019s handling of Afghanistan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Australia Lockdowns&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>Police in Australia <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/hundreds-arrested-fined-in-australia-amid-nationwide-protests-against-lockdowns\">arrested<\/a> more than 250 people on Saturday as protests swept across the country following renewed lockdown orders. Police used pepper spray in Melbourne, where a crowd of 4,000 gathered, and riot police cracked down on a smaller group in Sydney. Residents of Sydney and its state, New South Wales, face a fine of up to $5,000 for violating stay-at-home orders.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Glenn Beck Fundraiser<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span>A charitable fund started by radio host Glenn Beck raised more than $20 million in less than three days to help evacuate Christians from Afghanistan. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thenazarenefund.org\/\"><span>Nazarene Fund<\/span><\/a><span> is hoping to extract around 5,000 people <\/span><span>\u2014<\/span><span> mostly women and children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><i>The Daily Wire is one of America\u2019s fastest-growing conservative media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news, opinion, and entertainment. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a<\/i>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/subscribe\"><span class=\"s1\"><i>member<\/i><\/span><\/a><i>.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1) Americans Stranded In AfghanistanThe Topline: As the American withdrawal from Afghanistan continues, the Biden administration is facing heavy pressure for what many are saying was a failed military strategy.Quote &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2315279,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-675556","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/675556","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=675556"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/675556\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=675556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=675556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=675556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}