Post Reports

Shane Harris, an Intelligence reporter for The Washington Post, discusses the political fallout from the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, questioning why better preparation wasn't prioritized. Roya Rahmani, Afghanistan’s first female ambassador to the U.S., shares her fears for women and girls in her homeland as the Taliban regains power. They delve into the disconnect between optimistic forecasts and harsh realities, the struggles facing Afghan citizens, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy and national security.

Joining the discussion are Susannah George, Kabul bureau chief for The Washington Post, known for her firsthand coverage during the Taliban takeover, and Dan Lamothe, a Pentagon reporter who has been focusing on military withdrawals. They delve into the pandemonium at Kabul airport as the Taliban regained control and the swift collapse of Afghan security forces. Susannah shares her harrowing experiences in Kabul, while Dan critiques the Biden administration's evacuation strategy and reflects on the broader implications of U.S. foreign policy after two decades of conflict.

Dave Jorgensen, The Washington Post’s “TikTok Guy,” shares his journey of crafting engaging news content during the pandemic. He discusses the challenges of blending humor with serious news for a diverse audience while adapting to the spontaneous nature of TikTok. Jorgensen also reveals insights from his new book, which offers daily prompts to inspire creativity. Listeners can look forward to entertaining anecdotes about his collaborations with political figures and the playful bond he shares with his audience through his TikToks.

How some states are trying to make students and staffers feel safe in school. Why more moms may leave the workforce as the delta variant spreads. And what it’s like to lose your town to a wildfire and to have to start again. Read more:California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced Wednesday that the state will require all teachers and school staffers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or to submit to weekly testing. It’s the first state to impose such a rule. The governor is citing the surge of the delta variant as the reason –– and the fact that more and more children are being hospitalized by infection. As the pace of coronavirus cases rises nationwide and children’s camps and day cares shut back down, working mothers’ lives and livelihoods are taking another massive hit. Heather Long reports on the panic setting in among America’s millions of mothers with children under the age of 12 and the potential economic cost of a second mass resignation of moms.The Dixie Fire in California has been burning since mid-July. It now covers more than 500,000 acres in four counties and has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Marisa Iati reports on the state’s containment efforts, the emotional toll of evacuation and why rebuilding may not be an option in Greenville, Calif.

What’s behind Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans embracing a big Biden agenda item? Infrastructure. Plus, a delightful story about a man, his hobby and his dog. Read more:The big bipartisan infrastructure bill that passed the Senate this week is being hailed as a moment of unity, with politicians from both sides of the aisle finding common ground in building roads, repairing bridges and expanding broadband technology. But the reality is a bit more complicated. Mike DeBonis reports on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s thinking behind his support of President Biden’s agenda item.Along with being The Post’s art and architecture critic, Philip Kennicott is also an avid piano player. The thing is, his dog hates it when he plays piano, particularly Bach’s Goldberg Variations. He tries to solve the mystery of why.

The resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. And, as American troops withdraw, the U.S. response to a surge of Taliban control in Afghanistan. Read more:Today, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation after a state investigation found he sexually harassed 11 women and oversaw an unlawful attempt to exact retribution against one of his accusers. Reporter Michael Scherer on what this means for New York politics and the women at the center of the accusations. The Taliban is gaining more ground in Afghanistan, as U.S. troops withdraw from the country after two decades. Missy Ryan and Susannah George report on the regional capitals that have fallen to Taliban control and America’s role in Afghanistan’s uncertain future. As the school year approaches, we want to try to tackle your concerns about how covid affects kids and how to safely go back to in-person learning. If you’re sending your child back to school or going back to school yourself and have a question, send us a voice memo at postreports@washpost.com. We would love to hear from kids and teenagers as well as parents.  

A landmark United Nations report finds that humans have pushed the climate into ‘unprecedented’ territory. Plus, what we can learn from the Tokyo Olympics with the Winter Games in Beijing just around the corner.Read more:On Monday, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its latest and most dire report about the state of the planet. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said that  results are “a code red for humanity” and is calling on countries to embrace the drastic transformation needed to slow the warming of the planet. Reporter Brady Dennise has more. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have officially ended. Tokyo bureau chief Michelle Ye Hee Lee explains that the events have offered a brief respite from the latest pandemic surge but also a complex legacy. With the Winter Olympics set to begin in just six months, what lessons have the International Olympic Committee learned — and will they stick?

The infrastructure bill making its way through the Senate doesn’t include money for caregivers. Today, we dive into what it’s like to take care of a partner who has a disability and to often not get compensated for that labor.Read more:Earlier this week, the much anticipated infrastructure bill started moving through the Senate with bipartisan support. What’s left out of the bill, though, is what’s being called “human infrastructure” — money for things like quality child care and care for elderly people and those with disabilities.Today, we’re diving into one of these groups that’s being left out of the bill: people who care for their partners who have disabilities. Video editor Amber Ferguson learned that in most states, if you’re giving care to a partner with a disability, you cannot be compensated if you’re married. And those people who aren’t getting compensated for their labor are usually women. “It's just not sustainable for me to do this every single day in the way that I have been,” said Jane Morgan, who has been caring for her boyfriend largely by herself since he became quadriplegic in 2019.

Florida school districts defy the governor’s ban on mask mandates. An elementary school that welcomed its students back in the spring is still struggling to make a full return to normal. Plus, why you should rid your vocabulary of “corporate-isms.”Read more:At least four school districts in Florida have announced that they will either keep or issue new mask mandates in light of the coronavirus outbreak ravaging the state. Their announcements directly challenge an order by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who has threatened to withhold funds from schools that mandate face coverings for students. The debate over mask mandates is just one part of the conversation about how to safely reopen schools for in-person learning, as the coronavirus, aided by the delta variant, threatens to disrupt children’s educations for the third straight school year. Perry Stein reports on the stakes of such a prolonged disruption, and on whether schools can make up for that lost time. “Nice to e-meet you.” “Let’s touch base.” “I’m out of pocket.” Remote, virtual work is making us talk like robots. Tatum Hunter teaches us how to “circle back” to being human. 

As New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo faces an impeachment effort and calls for his resignation, his brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, avoids mentioning the scandal on his show. Plus, your questions on the delta variant — and is NBC ruining the Olympics?Read more:Will New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo resign? The pressure continues to mount after a damning report was released yesterday by the state’s attorney general. It concludes that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. That report also included the name of the governor’s brother, Chris Cuomo, a host on CNN. But when his show went on the air last night, he didn’t mention any of it. Media reporter Elahe Izadi explains the governor’s response so far, as well as CNN’s handling of the scandal and Chris Cuomo’s involvement.Earlier this week, we asked you to send us your questions about the current coronavirus surge and the delta variant. We tackle a few of them today with science reporter Ben Guarino. Like many people, host Martine Powers has been watching the Olympics — or trying to. She asks reporter Ben Strauss — is NBC ruining the Olympics?