The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Blackwater founder Erik Prince is charging $6,500 to people who want to evacuate Afghanistan.
It is exploitative and evil that Prince is charging a fee, let alone an exorbitant one, for our Afghan allies who likely live in or near poverty. More than 47% of the Afghan population lives below the poverty line. Many of those at Kabul airport risked their lives to help the United States during the almost-20-year war. They now seek to escape the Taliban, who are already making it hard for people to get to the airport in Kabul.
There should never be a price tag for those who want to escape a situation like the one in Afghanistan. Thankfully, the U.S. and NATO allies and Qatar have been providing free flights for Americans and Afghan allies.
But no one should ever support Prince or Blackwater from here on out.
Jackson Richman is a journalist in Washington, D.C. Follow him @jacksonrichman.
