I have to tell you that the inability of Afghan security forces to defend their country

has played a very powerful role in what we've seen over the last few weeks.

The fact is we invested, the international community invested over 20 years, billions of dollars in these forces, 300,000 of them,

with an Air Force, something the Taliban didn't have, with the most modern, sophisticated equipment.

And unfortunately, tragically, they have not been able to defend the country.

This morning, the Taliban is on the brink of power in Afghanistan.

More American troops are being sent to the region amid the deteriorating security situation.

But after 20 years of war and thousands of lives lost, the question is, what was it all for?

Plus, a major earthquake hits Haiti, leaving more than 1,200 people dead.

There's been a scramble overnight to find any survivors trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings. A major earthquake hits Haiti, leaving more than 1,200 people dead.

There's been a scramble overnight to find any survivors trapped in the rubble of collapsed

buildings.

The question is, what is the scope of this disaster?

And as the Delta variant causes COVID cases to surge, a new warning from top U.S. health

officials.

The U.S. could soon hit more than 200,000 new cases per day.

The question is, how does America's hospital system keep up? It's way too early for this.

Good morning and welcome to way too early, the show that has a lot of news to get to.

I'm Jonathan Lemire on this Monday, August 16th.

We have plenty going on.

We start overseas, where 20 years after the United States toppled the Taliban regime in Afghanistan,

the group is on the verge of retaking political power.

...