CUTTING A DEAL WITH THE TALIBAN: After a series of briefings yesterday at the Pentagon, State Department, and White House, two things became clear Tuesday. U.S. commanders at the airport in Kabul are in regular contact with the Taliban, who have agreed not to impede the evacuation of Americans and Afghans to proceed at least through the end of the month.

“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,” said national security adviser Jake Sullivan at the White House.