We are in contact with the Taliban to ensure the safe passage of people to the airport.

The Taliban have informed us that they are prepared to provide the safe passage of civilians to the airport,

and we intend to hold them to that commitment.

The White House is under pressure to accelerate evacuations in Afghanistan.

As many as 15,000 Americans are still in the country following the Taliban's takeover.

The question is, how long will it take to get them out?

Plus, the death toll is rising in Haiti after Tropical Storm Grace drenched the country yesterday.

The question is, how much did the storm complicate earthquake relief efforts?

And after banning mask and vaccine mandates, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has tested positive

for coronavirus, despite being fully vaccinated. The news comes as early data hints at a rise

and breakthrough infections in a handful of states. The question is, what does it mean for

vaccinated Americans? It's way too early for this.

Good morning and welcome to way too early. The show that wishes the baseball season was over already.

I'm Jonathan Lemire on this Wednesday, August 18th. We begin with the race to evacuate thousands of

Americans and allies in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover of the country.

Biden administration officials told Senate staffers yesterday that as many as 15,000 Americans

are still in Afghanistan. About 1,100 American citizens, permanent residents, and their families

have been evacuated so far. NBC News chief correspondent, Richard, foreign correspondent,

Richard Engel, has the latest from Kabul.

We made it on to the military side of Kabul Airport.

This is where the U.S. is carrying out its final withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The American flag still flies here.

...