U.K. Sees Little Chance of G-7 Swaying Biden on Afghanistan
- Allies race to evacuate thousands before U.S. Aug. 31 deadline
- Western leaders caught off guard at speed of Taliban takeover
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U.S. President Joe Biden will face a plea from his closest allies to extend the Afghanistan evacuation deadline, though the U.K. warned they are unlikely to change his mind as conditions on the ground become more perilous.
The airlift will dominate a virtual Group of Seven summit Tuesday starting 2:30 p.m. in London and convened by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson just a week before the Aug. 31 date set by Biden to complete the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The American exit ultimately accelerated the rapid Taliban takeover and collapse of the Afghan government.