Granite State Times

U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (D-Hopkinton) did not respond to requests for comment about her position on President Joe Biden's handling of the latest Afghanistan crisis, which has resulted in 13 service members being killed.

Fox31 News reported that 15 residents of New Hampshire have died as a result of the last 20 years of the U.S.'s military involvement in Afghanistan.

Over the course of several days, U.S. troops had been helping to evacuate Afghanistan allies and Americans who were within the war-torn country following the swift takeover by the Taliban forces. 

U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster | Wikimedia Commons

The Taliban’s taking of Kabul, the nation’s capital, was met with little resistance, and the hurried efforts from the Biden administration to get people out has faced criticism from both political parties and has hurt his approval ratings.

More than 69% of Americans disapprove of Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, according to data from a Trafalgar poll published by the Washington Examiner.

Adding to Biden’s negative approval rating over the handling of evacuations is that the State Department has been unable to assist all the Americans stranded in Afghanistan. The department instructed people not to call the embassy for help, asserting in an official advisory: “Do not call the U.S. Embassy in Kabul for details or updates about the flight,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

The Pentagon has yet to release statistics regarding how many Americans are stranded in the war-torn country, a notion that General Jack Keane told Fox News was “insulting” and that U.S. citizens have a right to know.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) has organized a hotline for Americans who have been left behind in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of American forces. Americans can call 501-223-9081 or email evac@cotton.senate.gov. “The situation is dire, but we’ll do everything in our power to help keep you informed and to help get you out,” Cotton’s website said.

The Taliban created checkpoints on the way to the airport, which have stalled efforts by Americans to flee the country via the international airport in Kabul.

Biden ultimately stuck with the plan of removing U.S. forces by the end of August. The evacuated operation, and the war itself, was officially ended Aug. 30.