Honest question. Did those US people in Afghanistan not realize that they needed to get out earlier?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Were people even able to get out of Afghanistan earlier? Did State ever advise to get out earlier?

[Historic NY]

1. Alams and Advisorys were issued by the Embassey from March to July

Warning, they should leave now while commercial flights were arriving at the airport.

I just the Sec of State should have sent invitations

[left-of-center2012]

2. According to a thread I posted earlier ...

The state department was telling Americans every three weeks to get out since around March.
I'm posting this from my phone so can't make the connection to that thread right now.

They said their warnings became stronger and stronger but people just ignored them.

[Niagara]

7. Here's the link to your OP.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=15783982

[SMC22307]

3. I read that State issued warnings starting mid-April and even offered...

to pay airfare. Think it was from a WaPo article...

[Make7]

4. Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Kabul - May 15, 2021

...

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that on April 27, 2021, the Department of State ordered the departure from U.S. Embassy Kabul of U.S. government employees whose functions can be performed elsewhere due to increasing violence and threat reports in Kabul. The Travel Advisory for Afghanistan remains Level 4-Do Not Travel due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict, and COVID-19. Commercial flight options from Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) remain available and the U.S. Embassy strongly suggests that U.S. citizens make plans to leave Afghanistan as soon as possible. Given the security conditions and reduced staffing, the Embassy’s ability to assist U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited.

...

https://af.usembassy.gov/security-alert-may-15-2021/

It was announced in mid-April that all U.S. troops would be withdrawn by September 11th. There were plenty of signs for months that it was probably time to leave - sooner rather than later.

I think pretty much everyone was expecting the Afghan government to stay in place in Kabul at least until the last of the U.S. troops finally left.

[DenaliDemocrat]

5. You are witnessing Phase 3 of a deadly pandemic

When 3 FREE vaccines exist, and you wonder if people did not leave because they were not warned ahead of time?

[Phoenix61]

11. Good point. Never underestimate how stupid people can be. nt

[El Supremo]

6. A lot of those "US people" have strong Afghan ties.

Notably family and dedication. Many won't leave.

[Enter stage left]

8. Engineers have a saying...

"As time goes towards zero, effort goes to infinity".

Just so the repuq lurkers can understand; if it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would get done.

[sop]

9. After twenty years of the US kicking the can down the road, most people thought we'd never leave.

[KentuckyWoman]

10. Some will stay by choice. Some are scrambling

To get papers for family they want to get out and some will stay with intent to leave later.

If I am an Aghan American with sick, elderly or otherwise vulnerable family who is there, the choice to wait as long as possible, or even stay is not unreasonable.

Reporting is about 1500 registered Americans still have not left. I would expect their reasons to be varied and thoughtful. I doubt any of them are taking this lightly.

[JCMach1]

12. It is regular policy by Middle East expats to ignore most Warnings...

They are always hair on fire typically all the time...

Having said that... If you were paying attention at all to what's going on around you should have been making plans months ago.