Retrograde (2022) - full transcript
Tells the story of the last months of the 20-year war in Afghanistan through the intimate relationship between American Green Berets and the Afghan officers they trained.
BUSH: I'm speaking to you today
from the Treaty Room of the White House,
a place where American presidents
have worked for peace.
We're a peaceful nation.
Yet as we have learned so suddenly
and so tragically,
there can be no peace
in a world of sudden terror.
The name of today's military operation
is Enduring Freedom.
We defend not only our precious freedoms
but also the freedom of people everywhere
to live and raise their children
free from fear.
OBAMA: My fellow Americans,
we've traveled through more than a decade
under the dark cloud of war.
Yet here in the pre-dawn darkness
of Afghanistan,
we can see the light of a new day
on the horizon.
TRUMP: In every generation
we have faced down evil,
and we have always prevailed.
But our commitment is not unlimited.
BIDEN: How many more generations
of America's daughters and sons
would you have me send
to fight Afghanistan's civil war?
I'm clear on my answer.
I will not repeat the mistakes
we've made in the past.
(AIRPLANE ENGINE REVVING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER 1: Hey!
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
SOLDIER 1: Hey, hey!
(GUNSHOT FIRING)
(CAR HORNS HONKING)
(SOLDIER YELLING IN PASHTO)
SOLDIER 2: Only American passports.
Don't waste your energy.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER 3: Back up.
MALE VOICE 1: (IN ENGLISH) Hey.
SOLDIER 3: (IN PASHTO) I said back up.
I said back up.
Go back.
Get back, brothers.
For God's sake, get back.
I swear to God I have a green card.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(CAR HORNS HONKING)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
MALE VOICE 2: (IN ENGLISH) Okay. Okay.
(IN PASHTO) Move away.
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
-(GRUNTS)
MALE VOICE 3: (IN ENGLISH) Hey!
FEMALE VOICE: (IN PASHTO) Dad?
(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
Javed?
Javed?
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRIES)
SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH) Hey, hey.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
(SOMBER MUSIC FADES)
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
MATTHEW: It's two decades of investment
and we're trying to identify
who the key Afghan leaders are.
We wanna position them
for the long term...
so that we can keep
what we've started here going.
These guys have...
They have our DNA, right.
They just... They have adopted it now
and they have that worst period,
that motivation that... That's, uh...
Just gut instinct
that they can get it done.
When you sit down with General Sadat,
you can see it.
We're the only ones out here
right now. It's only us.
You, being co-located with him,
you have a sense
of what the real need is.
When General Sadat
is asking for something,
we could sense his stress levels.
We're in this together.
That's the reality.
We got to recognize it.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
Brothers, at ease.
SOLDIERS: Sir, yes sir.
GENERAL SADAT: Brothers, at ease.
SOLDIERS: Sir, yes sir.
Sir.
Stand at ease.
GENERAL SADAT: In the name of God.
Greetings freedom fighters,
friends, and fellow soldiers.
I'm standing with you
every step of the way.
With love, patience,
and appreciation for each other
you can succeed.
You will never be left alone.
Never feel mercy
for the Taliban terrorists.
Don't let them advance.
Don't let them advance
under any circumstances.
Fight them hard.
Don't return until you've killed
the very last Talib.
Look left, look right, look up and down.
Do you see any force
that would be able to stand up to you?
SOLDIERS: No.
GENERAL SADAT: Friends, are you ready?
SOLDIERS: Yes.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
I grew up in the '90s in Kabul.
My father was in the resistance.
He was ultimately arrested
and put in jail by the Taliban.
My father's imprisonment made me think
that I will never get my father back.
Everyone that was imprisoned
has disappeared
or was hanged by the Taliban.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
GENERAL SADAT: But I saw my father coming
with his army into Kabul,
and they liberated the whole city.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)
GENERAL SADAT: I still feel
that joy in my heart.
That gives me motivation to move forward.
It takes years, months,
the whole of my life,
it doesn't really matter.
This is the kind of faith I cling onto.
-Good morning.
-Hi, sir. Good morning, sir.
JACK: General, have you met, uh, Charlie?
So, big news, huh?
You're a two-star general now.
-GENERAL SADAT: Yeah.
-JACK: I mean, that's huge news.
I was thinking about it last night, how...
how freaking amazing it is for you
to be in your position.
And just like, "Hey, you're doing such
a good job. Here's some more territory."
It's a lot of responsibility.
Yeah. Are you gonna be okay with that?
-Wait.
-I don't have a choice.
You don't have a choice, do you? Yeah.
What can I do, you know?
-My guys are dying every day.
-Oh, yeah. Everyday matters.
GENERAL SADAT: Two nights ago,
ten ANA soldiers were killed
-by one sniper man in Khash Rod.
-JACK: Hmm.
Ten ANA soldiers.
CHARLIE: You said that was
a primarily a sniper there?
-Yeah.
-CHARLIE: That...
Yeah, there was no other explosion,
no shrapnels.
-Sniper shots.
-JACK: Hmm.
We need time before we're ready to stage
large scale attacks on the Taliban.
JACK: In a couple days we'll know
if the administration really wants
to leave Afghanistan.
CHARLIE: Don't expect
the decision to be one day...
-Okay.
-...a switch is flipped, but...
hopefully it'll be the first step
in that direction.
We're looking forward to more clarity
as much as you are.
True. True. True.
GEORGE: The main purpose, right?
The main reason why we are here
is to increase your survivability
and lethality on the battlefield.
Today we will focus on marksmanship
and sniper training.
Twenty-six fifty.
Twenty-six forty-one.
-Yeah, go ahead.
-(GUNSHOT)
FEMALE REPORTER: The war in Afghanistan
is known by several other names,
America's Longest War,
The Forever War,
and The Endless War.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
US SOLDIER: We just go high
and tight up top,
put the tourniquet where it is
or close to it.
See?
FEMALE REPORTER: President Biden
now faces a difficult decision,
stick to a deal brokered
by his predecessor
to withdraw all troops by May first
or extend the conflict once again.
JACK: Just let me know
if anything turns violent.
Confirm Taliban coming out
of those compounds.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(AFGHAN SOLDIER 1 SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(IN ENGLISH) Did you shoot me? Bam, bam?
-AFGHAN SOLDIER 2: No, no, no.
-TRANSLATOR: No, he said freeze.
I didn't freeze.
(TRANSLATOR SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
TRANSLATOR: (IN ENGLISH)
That's why I shot you.
-You didn't stop.
-Oh, you shot me? Okay.
-TRANSLATOR: Yeah.
-I didn't hear.
Even if you're a civilian, good guy,
not carrying weapon,
if I tell you freeze and you didn't stop,
we will shoot you
or a warning shot, you know.
AMERICAN TRAINER:
Warning shot's a good tool.
-(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
-AMERICAN TRAINER: (IN ENGLISH) Okay.
That's your choice, all right?
Depending on the situation what to do.
You don't instantly have to kill me.
(TRANSLATOR SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
AMERICAN TRAINER: (IN ENGLISH)
That's one reason that this war
has gone on for so long.
Innocent men who died in 2000, 2005,
their sons are now of age
to be joining the Taliban.
So we always have to be incredibly sure
that we only shoot the right guys
because last thing we wanna do
is create more people who hate us
and wanna kill us ten years from now
when they're old enough.
(TRANSLATOR SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(KEYBOARD KEYS CLACKING)
-(PHONE DIALING, RINGING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GEORGE: (IN ENGLISH) Hey, how's it going?
Yeah, we still wanna know
how many people were on
that second bird that crashed.
It crashed in a relatively
desolate portion of Washer.
US SOLDIER: Sir, the Taliban are posting
that they shot it down.
Could be nothing.
But right now,
there's guys chattering on the radio,
like, all excited that they shot down
the helicopters.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-GEORGE: Hey, sir, can you hear us?
-Yes.
GEORGE: We're picking up radio chatter
that the Taliban said they shot it down,
but, you know, of course
they would claim that.
-(PHONE TRILLING)
-I think we might have casualties as well,
-KIAs.
-GEORGE: Yeah. Okay.
Hopefully not.
Okay. The KIAs identity is confirmed.
He's one of my guards from KKA.
-GEORGE: I'm sorry to hear that.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(PATIENTS GROANING)
(PATIENTS YELLING)
(DOCTOR SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(YELLS)
(IN ENGLISH) Taliban motherfucker.
(PATIENT YELLING)
This Al-Qaeda motherfucker.
(PATIENTS GROANING, SCREAMING)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
Is that a wound on the nose or head?
DOCTOR:
Commander, his whole body is damaged.
Meaning the blood is coming
from his nose, not his brain?
That, we can't tell yet.
They said they can transfer
four casualties,
but we need to transfer six.
No, they will transfer six people.
There is no issue.
(IN ENGLISH) I think we have six,
so the doctor is recommending
six for medical evacuation.
US SOLDIER 1: All right.
US SOLDIER 2:
I mean we tasked up for four.
Um, I think... I think that four is what
our little clinic on our little base,
that's what they can handle.
And then they're gonna medevac
from there.
All right.
Once we transfer,
can we transfer two more?
-(SCREAMING IN DISTANCE)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey, brother, I'm at the hospital.
Your colleagues are here.
The initial request are for four injuries
to be medically evacuated
and now we have six.
Can you approve two more, brother?
(HEART RATE MONITOR BEEPING)
-I think they're all head injuries.
-(DOOR SQUEAKING)
Okay. Thank you, brother.
I appreciate it. Cheers.
(IN PASHTO) It's all set.
(IN ENGLISH) Okay.
-I'll let you guys do the work.
-US SOLDIER 1: Okay. All right. On it.
-I just came here to thank you...
-US SOLDIER 2: We'll start making...
-We'll make our phone calls that we need.
-...for everything. It's a hard day
-for us. Thank you.
-US SOLDIER 2: Yeah. We're here to help.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
US SOLDIER 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and then 6.
-US SOLDIER 3: Ready to roll?
-SU SOLDIER 4: Come on, let's go.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(PHONE RINGING)
SOLDIER 1: (IN PASHTO) Yes, brother.
SOLDIER 2: (OVER PHONE) The situation
around Jegha Dar outpost
doesn't look good.
Do we have any support
over these areas, sir?
SOLDIER 1:
There is no support at this time.
SOLDIER 2: Sir, support is needed.
We've got problems here.
SOLDIER 1: OK, give me the coordinates.
SOLDIER 2: 52, 763.
JACK: (IN ENGLISH)
Hey. How 'bout this one?
SOLDIER 1: Four to five Taliban
moving in these coordinates.
Okay.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(CLEARS THROAT)
-(KEYBOARD CLACKING)
US SOLDIER 1: Yeah. Uh, 15 45s.
JACK: See how they're starting
to congregate right there?
It's confirmed Taliban
and Taliban facilitators.
Now, they're following these guys.
They've been sitting under the trees
for like 30 minutes.
But, uh, like this is their rally point,
so if they come back out
maybe they'll strike.
-US SOLDIER 2: Keep going on this dude.
-US SOLDIER 3: Are there any...
US SOLDIER 2: That guy's got something.
Yeah, they came running out
of the compound we've been watching.
US SOLDIER 4: And then they ducked
into the bushes. Keep watching.
US SOLDIER 3: How far is he
from the current force?
US SOLDIER 2: These guys severed
the long cross wires.
Like that middle guy.
They've all got weapons.
Yeah, those are weapons
all in a route of production.
I mean, it's three dudes out there
with military-grade equipment,
and we already confronted,
it's no friendlies, so...
US SOLDIER 5: Get ready.
JACK: What do you want, call in attack?
Yup.
JACK: Alright, launch attacking.
US SOLDIER 6: Roger,
orient the guns to west.
REZNIK: Five-nine-six.
-Two-five-nine-four-five.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
JACK: OK, ready to launch.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-Hey, Reznik. It's gonna launch.
-Okay?
-REZNIK: Okay.
US SOLDIER 4:
He's getting on a motorcycle.
-US SOLDIER 3: He is?
-US SOLDIER 4: Yeah.
-Up against the wall.
-US SOLDIER 3: Yeah.
-(MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO)
-Further up, so we can start.
Also look at that area.
US SOLDIER 3: Is the other guy a jihad?
Follow that motorcycle, lightning.
JACK: Yup, that's him.
All right. Final approach.
-US SOLDIER 7: Coming in...
-JACK: Three, two...
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-US SOLDIER 8: Boom!
-US SOLDIER 9: Yeah, boom!
-US SOLDIER 10: Shit. (CHUCKLES)
US SOLDIER 11: The guy's on fire.
He's burning.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)
US SOLDIER 12: (OVER RADIO)
Go for kill one.
US SOLDIER 13: (OVER RADIO)
He's talking about it. Over.
US SOLDIER 12: Stall. Fast radio check.
If you don't want me to bring it down,
do you want me to transport it back to...
-(AZAAN PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
-(DOGS BARKING)
GENERAL SADAT: It's a strange
and confusing time right now.
The Americans trained me
and they have worked with me
for so many years.
I can't imagine them
withdrawing from Afghanistan
any time soon...
especially after all the money spent
and the lives lost.
(GRUNTS)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(SOLDIERS LAUGHING)
-George?
-Hell yeah.
Awesome, yeah. Hit them out there.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Real pros should actually be able
to light the cigar in the fire.
MALE VOICE 1: I tried to but the fire
is a little hot tonight.
GENERAL SADAT:
I think your beard will start to burn.
-Oh, yeah. My...
-(LAUGHS)
-(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
-(MALE VOICE 1 LAUGHING)
MALE VOICE 2: (IN ENGLISH) This is
my fifth or sixth really long trip.
-Yes.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MALE VOICE 2: When I was here
in 2013 in Kapisa,
my son did not talk when I left.
And when I came home,
he was speaking and everything.
And, you know,
he would barely recognize me.
It's hard.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
MALE VOICE 3: If you ask me,
any hasty American withdrawal
right now would be disastrous.
GEORGE: I think the Taliban understand
if they were to do
like an entire offensive,
they would provoke us
conducting air strikes.
Given right now it's just such
a politically sensitive time.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(WIND BLOWING)
BIDEN: My fellow Americans...
I believe that our presence
in Afghanistan should be focused
on the reason we went in the first place.
To ensure Afghanistan
would not be used as a base
from which to attack our homeland again.
We did that. (SMACKS LIPS)
We accomplished that objective.
We delivered justice
to Bin Laden a decade ago,
and we've stayed in Afghanistan
for a decade since.
Since then, our reasons
to remain in Afghanistan
become increasingly unclear.
Keeping thousands of troops
concentrated in this one country,
at a cost of billions each year,
makes little sense to me.
Not when we had 98,000 troops
in Afghanistan,
and not when we're down to a few thousand.
Our diplomacy does not hinge
on having boots in harm's way,
U.S. boots on the ground.
I conclude that it's time
to end America's longest war.
The United States will begin
our final withdrawal
beginning on May 1 of this year.
Thank you all for listening.
May God protect our troops.
May God bless all those families
who lost someone innocent there.
JACK: Let's get ahead of it now.
US SOLDIER: Yeah.
JACK: It's only gonna get worse.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
GEORGE: All right, guys.
I just got off the phone
with General Miller.
He's been talking
to the Secretary of Defense
and other key leaders in government.
And they're basically made the decision
to pull everybody out...
starting immediately.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
So... the plan we came up with,
ten-day retrograde plan for us,
uh, it's gonna be a very quick retrograde.
There's many things we need to do.
We got to get people off of the base.
We got to get team property off the base,
and then we got to sanitize and clear
everything that we're leaving behind.
Any type of paper, documents,
whether it's classified, unclassified,
it's gonna get burned.
We don't have a lot of time
to get a lot done.
We got to really start moving
on some of this stuff.
I really wanna stress the...
the hastiness that needs to happen.
(GENERAL SADAT BREATHING HEAVILY)
SOLDIER: (IN DARI PERSIAN, OVER PHONE)
Dear Commander, I wanted to check on you.
I hope you're okay.
We had a huge setback today.
Morale has been crushed.
So we need to fix that.
It's essential. We must work together.
-(SIGHING)
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(METAL CLANGING)
GEORGE: (IN ENGLISH)
I talked to General Sadat today.
You know, of course, he's disappointed,
but he knows it's not our decision.
So he's gonna continue doing his thing,
and we'll continue supporting him
as long as we can.
US SOLDIER: What the Taliban are doing,
they're surveying bases,
so that way they could prioritize
what bases they wanna attack first.
I think there's a good chance
that they practice tactical patience
and not gonna do it until we are gone.
They know what they have.
They know the best thing
that could possibly happen
for them long term is for us leaving.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
-US SOLDIER: Fire.
-(METAL CLANGING)
-Fire.
-(METAL CLANGING)
Destroy and retrograde all computers
in accordance with JPBO.
This is the shit in the instructions.
Uh, expend all loose
and non-factory-packed ammunition.
No ammunition handed over
to partner forces is authorized.
(CHAIR SCRAPING)
US SOLDIER 1: Fuck, man.
Sorry.
-GEORGE: Yeah.
-US SOLDIER 2: You're good.
US SOLDIER 3: Retrograde means
you're shitting in the trench.
-That's just what it is.
-(LAUGHING)
US SOLDIER 1: It's unbelievable, really.
US SOLDIER 4: That's pretty messed up,
but there's nothing we can do about it.
I tried to offer another route
and got shut down.
(SIGHS)
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC FADES)
All right, y'all. The reason that
we came to meet with you guys today.
As you may have guessed already,
you may have heard already.
So a little bit of a heavy heart
that I have to tell you this, but, uh...
we're leaving Afghanistan pretty soon.
There's a lot of guys in here
that have spent a lot of years
and have been
in a lot of danger, and, uh...
it's been for our safety
most of the time.
So I wanna thank each and every one of you
for all of the work you've done
and all the dangerous spots
that you've been in
since you've been working
with the Americans.
And I want... I want all you guys to know
that we were blindsided
with this news very, very recently.
We weren't holding on to this information
and not telling you guys, okay?
(IN PASHTO) If we go back
to our normal civilian lives,
we will be in danger.
If we work with the Afghan government,
we will be tracked down and harassed
and the government
will not be able to do anything.
I don't know about the others,
but my house has been targeted twice.
None of these soldiers will be safe.
US SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH) These decisions
are made way, way, way above us.
Us, the people on the ground,
unfortunately,
we have very little input in that.
(AFGHAN SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
TRANSLATOR: (IN ENGLISH)
It's not your fault. We know.
US SOLDIER 2: Yeah. I mean, honestly,
we really can't express to you guys enough
what it means to us,
the job that you've done
and who you guys are as people.
Like, we really, really do
truly appreciate you guys
for everything that you've done.
(AFGHAN SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(FOLK MUSIC PLAYING)
(SOLDIERS AND INTERPRETERS CHEERING)
(SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SOLDIERS LAUGHING)
(LAUGHS)
US SOLDIER 3: (IN ENGLISH)
Is that a bird on your shoulder
or are you just happy to see me?
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(SOLDIERS APPLAUDING, CHEERING)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
US SOLDIER: Three, two, one!
Yeah!
(EXPLOSION)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(IN PASHTO) Where are the Taliban going?
SOLDIER 1:
They are right there in the center.
I see right there.
Some Taliban have entered Qalai Mukhtar.
Brothers, they're getting closer,
let's keep an eye on them.
I think they're waiting
for the US to leave Helmand.
Then they will attack.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
JACK: (IN ENGLISH) How old are you?
US SOLDIER 1: Twenty.
Were you born when this war started?
US SOLDIER 1: Yeah, barely.
Barely.
US SOLDIER 1: I was like one.
-JACK: You were still in diapers.
-(CHUCKLES)
Hey, can you grab all those care packages
and start throwing them to the fire?
-US SOLDIER 1: Yeah, where they at?
-Uh, they used to be in the back.
US SOLDIER 1: Of the building?
Yeah, we can't take them with us.
I'm not the president
of the United States, I don't...
But someone had to make a call,
and he made a call.
You know,
you're never gonna have all the...
answers to a decision
that you need to make
if you wait for all the answers.
And in the time you've made
that decision in the past. So...
you make a decision
with the best information
you have available at the time
and you roll with it.
If I knew more than that,
I'd get paid more.
US SOLDIER 2: True, it's the end
of something. But...
what is it the end of? The end of an era?
The end of an operation?
Of a project? I don't know.
Only history will tell us
what exactly it is the end of.
(FLAGPOLE RATTLING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
US SOLDIER 1: It'll be right side up.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-GENERAL SADAT: I think it's entangled.
-US SOLDIER 2: Yeah.
-GENERAL SADAT: Can you lower it?
-Yeah.
-US SOLDIER 3: Yeah.
All right.
US SOLDIER 4: Watch your head.
-GENERAL SADAT: One, two, three. Hurrah.
-(SOLDIER GRUNTING)
(SOMBER MUSIC FADES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
Stand at attention.
To respect our national flag
face the flag.
Salute.
Stand at ease.
US SOLDIER: (IN ENGLISH)
Stay safe here. Thank you, sir.
-GENERAL SADAT: I'll miss you guys.
-JACK: Yeah, we'll see.
GENERAL SADAT: Are we seeing you tomorrow?
JACK: We'll be gone. Yeah.
GENERAL SADAT:
Oh, you're leaving early in the morning?
-JACK: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
-(SIGHS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
I wish you all the best.
Yes, sir. Bring it in.
All right. How you doing?
This is it. Uh...
Hey, sir, I just want to tell you,
I've been coming over here since 2013.
Um, we've lost quite a few Green Berets.
Um, this is definitely an emotional thing
for a lot of us.
It's something I'll always look back
and reflect on.
It's, uh, it's tough leaving.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
It was a great honor, sir.
I wish you all the best.
-Thank you, sir.
-All right.
JACK: There comes a point
where whoever took part
in a war ask themselves,
"Why did we do it? What did we achieve?
"And what did we sacrifice to get there?"
Twenty years and two trillion dollars.
Two-and-a-half-thousand Americans
dead alone,
not even counting for Afghans
or coalition.
There's a cost. There's a huge cost.
-(AIRPLANE ENGINE BLARING)
-JACK: This isn't a win.
Everything we've gained is at risk.
JACK: General Sadat, this is Chief Jack.
May you please tell your men,
uh, give them the best for us.
We share your frustrations,
knowing that we may or may not be there
for, uh, the upcoming fights.
We haven't given up on you.
All right, sir, uh, take care.
Stay safe and we'll talk soon.
(AFGHANI REPORTER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
MALE REPORTER 1: (IN ENGLISH)
What is happening on the ground
-there in Afghanistan?
-FEMALE REPORTER 1: Well,
some have described it
as a new day dawning.
(MALE REPORTER 2 SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
FEMALE REPORTER 2: (IN ENGLISH)
US forces may have
largely left Afghanistan,
but the country's
four-decade long war continues.
(MALE REPORTER 3 SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
MALE REPORTER 4: (IN ENGLISH) ...already,
the Taliban are increasing attacks
on Afghan forces...
(MALE REPORTER 5 SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
FEMALE REPORTER 3: (IN ENGLISH)
The reports of US Intelligence
estimating that once the US
is fully out of the country...
(MALE REPORTER 6 SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
...the Afghan government could fall
in as little as six months.
FEMALE VOICE: There's a young general
who's become very famous
in Afghanistan, General Sami Sadat,
and he's managed to repel
multiple attacks by the Taliban.
That shows there are people
who are capable of fighting
and still determined to fight.
(GUN CHAMBER CLICKING)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
In the name of God,
greetings
to our dear friends and brothers.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
Come out of your homes.
Come off of the streets.
Come to your national security forces.
Come and take up arms.
This is the day. This is the time.
(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)
If everything we have works together,
is there any power that can break us?
-Allahu Akbar!
-Allahu Akbar!
-(CROWD APPLAUDING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
This is a fight between
totalitarianism and freedom.
(IN PASHTO)
We will defend our country, yes?
CROWD: Yes.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
The Taliban used the script
of the Holy Quran
for their own political interest.
Trying to control and govern the ethics
and the rule of life for everyone else.
(IN PASHTO) Are you ready?
CROWD: Yes.
-Say, "God is great."
-CROWD: God is great.
-(REPEATS CHANT IN PASHTO)
-(CROWD CHANTS IN RESPONSE)
(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
This society wants to be free.
They know that under the Taliban,
they will not have food.
They will not allow women to work.
They don't allow women to be educated.
They will be enslaved
to those terrorist ideas.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(GENERAL SADAT SPEAKING IN DARI PERSIAN)
We are recruiting 1,000 new soldiers
to the Afghan National Army.
Right now, people are interested
in working with us
because of our courage,
bravery, and resistance.
I don't want you to get nervous
like in the other provinces.
This process must not fail.
SOLDIER 1: Commander, consider
how much ammunition
will be wasted in practice.
Weapons training will be very costly.
GENERAL SADAT: We must let them train.
It will make a huge difference
on the battlefield.
(SPEAKS IN DARI PERSIAN)
SOLDIER 2: (OVER RADIO)
Uqab, you saw the vehicles, right?
SOLDIER 3: (OVER RADIO)
With six or seven people gathered?
Confirming this is the enemy, correct?
SOLDIER 4: Roger, we see them,
we've been tracking them.
That's the target.
With your approval,
they'll launch an air strike.
Even if they miss the target,
they'll still inflict damage.
They will not miss it, man.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Tell them to strike immediately,
they're getting in the car.
Hit it wherever it goes.
SOLDIER 4: (OVER RADIO) By the time
the chopper arrives,
the Talibs will hear our communication.
They'll disperse and it'll all be in vain.
If you attack from the northeast,
God willing, we will not have
any collateral damage.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: 25, 326.
94, 864.
These are the enemy's coordinates.
GENERAL SADAT: (OVER RADIO)
You know what to do, brother.
(MISSILES FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: (OVER RADIO) Commander,
we missed the target and hit the road.
SOLDIER 1: Come on,
key in the coordinates immediately.
AFGHAN PILOT 2: (OVER RADIO) 250, 800.
AFGHAN PILOT 3: (OVER RADIO)
We are going to finish the mission.
Brother, do it.
As you know,
this is a very important target.
AFGHAN PILOT 2: Copy that.
(MISSILES FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT: Well done.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER 2: (OVER RADIO)
The vehicle stopped moving.
The target has been destroyed.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
SOLDIER 3: (OVER RADIO)
Two of the six are dead. One wounded.
The one standing up
is picking up the dead.
Send me the report tomorrow
about which motherfuckers
have been killed.
so that we can see who in that strike
has been handed a ticket to hell.
SOLDIER 1: Commander, we still see
enemy movements here in the Lashkar Gah.
AFGHAN COMMANDER: This location
is very important for us
because if this front line is pushed back,
the Taliban will get really close
to the city.
Another thing, Commander,
the enemy is preparing.
They haven't attacked us
for the last three to four nights.
So they are in preparation mode now.
They will certainly attack us
within the next three days.
That's why they've been very quiet
for the last three nights.
Alright. That's that.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
I wanna live long enough
to see peace in our country.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: Spend time
with my family, with my son.
Grow old in Afghanistan.
And ultimately, die in Afghanistan.
My family believes in the cause.
But they're afraid
that they will lose me into the cause.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER: (IN PASHTO, OVER RADIO)
Our base is being attacked by mortars.
We have two martyrs as a result.
(PHONE RINGING)
GENERAL SADAT: Hello, sir.
Unfortunately, Tapi Toopchi base
has been overrun by the Taliban.
I was afraid of that.
God forbids, if one place falls,
it will impact other places too.
SOLDIER: (OVER RADIO) Our guys abandoned
the district office,
the prison, and the police station.
The Taliban has taken over.
It's an order to everyone to stay there.
(SIGHS)
(SIGHING)
Our men have abandoned the district.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
What should we do?
If we tell them to go back,
they may be too exhausted.
Parwani, come here.
Do you think if we order them
to recapture the district,
they'll have the energy and will to do it?
They must do something.
Otherwise, it means
they too are surrendering.
GENERAL SADAT: What about supplies?
They don't have ammunition, unfortunately.
(CELL PHONE BEEPING)
BLACKHAWK COMMANDER: (OVER PHONE)
Commander,
I am the Deputy
Blackhawk Commander.
Hello.
Resupplying the 4th Battalion
is very important to us.
They need our help.
(MISSILES FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: The enemy is striking
other personnel in the area.
GENERAL SADAT: (OVER RADIO)
Are you being fired at right now?
I have no visuals.
-(EXPLOSION)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: Cobra, Cobra.
They're attacking with RPGs. Be careful.
They are attacking us from that location.
(RADIO CRACKLES)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: (OVER RADIO)
We want to land, but they won't let us.
They are striking us.
Destroy as many Taliban targets
as you can.
AFGHAN PILOT 1:
Cobra, can you hear me? Cobra.
They're not letting us move forward.
(GUN FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 2:
It's impossible to complete the mission.
Also, we're running out of fuel.
Let's get to a safe altitude,
and I’ll turn around.
(GENERAL SADAT GROANS SOFTLY)
(PHONE LINE TRILLING)
(GENERAL SADAT SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
AFGHAN PILOT 2: (OVER PHONE)
Sir, the helicopter landed
and won't be able to fly again.
(DOG PANTING)
GENERAL SADAT: Yes, Governor, I know.
Let's hope for the best.
We will continue to fight them.
The rest we leave to God.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
DOCTOR 1:
They wrapped the tourniquet yesterday
and haven't opened it since then.
Was it a mine?
DOCTOR 2: No, it was an RPG.
(HEART RATE MONITOR BEEPING)
How many are injured?
DOCTOR 1: 36.
We have 36 injured?
DOCTOR 1:
Yes, all from the last operations.
The total number is 36.
How many of those need surgery?
DOCTOR 1: 22 of them need surgery.
Hello, how are you all?
How are you?
How are you? Lay down.
How are you, young man?
Freedom fighters, we wish you good health.
May God heal you quickly.
PATIENT: I have complaint
about my company commander.
Yes?
He smokes hashish, and then sits stoned
and doesn't move.
So, his men surrender to the Taliban.
They're disappointed in him.
Don't worry.
It's because of worry and stress.
Don't stress at all.
It's just a wave.
God willing, we'll regain all territory.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
We don't have any more patients, right?
(GREETING IN PASHTO)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT:
When I look at the situation,
it has now become a war of attrition.
Both for us and for the Taliban.
For the Taliban,
it's about recruiting fighters
and deciding what areas to control.
And it's tiring for us because our bases
are surrounded by them
and we don't have strong air power.
SOLDIER: Commander, after the withdrawal
of international forces,
the main goal of the enemy in this area
is to capture the city of Lashkar Gah.
If Lashkar Gah falls,
we won't be able to hold onto Kabul.
The collapse will start from here.
MARY LOUISE: (IN ENGLISH)
Despite your efforts,
if things get worse instead of better,
if the worse comes to pass,
and your government falls...
GENERAL SADAT: Well,
I don't think for a second
that our government will fall.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
GENERAL SADAT: We will beat the odds.
We always did, you know?
Now, call me an optimist,
but this is why I serve,
this is why I choose the worst place
in Afghanistan
to take command and to lead my men.
MARY LOUISE:
That is Commanding General Sami Sadat
speaking to us from the frontlines there
in Southwestern Afghanistan.
General Sadat,
thanks for being with us again.
GENERAL SADAT: Thank you, Mary Louise.
Right now, the battle in Lashkar Gah
is the most important frontline.
I decided it's time to move operations.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
GENERAL AUSTIN: (OVER PHONE) Sami,
I'm checking in to see how you're doing.
You just let me know
how things are going
and how you're seeing things
in Helmand right now.
Stay well. Talk to you soon.
GENERAL SADAT: Hey, sir.
I have arrived in Lashkar Gah.
I'm staying in Lashkar Gah
and fight from here.
SOLDIER: (IN PASHTO, OVER PHONE)
Commander, we just received intel
that the enemy has prepared a car bomb.
It's heading in your direction.
GENERAL SADAT: Let's get moving.
(HUMVEE ENGINE REVVING)
(CAR HORN HONKING)
-(CAR HORN HONKING)
-(EXPLOSION IN DISTANCE)
(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
-(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
These are the photos
of the vehicle-borne IED.
Basically, a vehicle that's packed
with explosives to attack my convoy.
So before they reached our convoy,
the vehicle self-detonated.
And you can see the body parts
of three people blown into little pieces.
(SOMBER MUSIC FADES)
(WATER SPLASHING)
(GROANS)
(RADIO BEEPS)
SOLDIER: (IN PASHTO, OVER RADIO)
Ebad, can you hear me?
EBAD: I can hear you.
SOLDIER: The Commander is heading inside.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: The Commander and I
were having a discussion,
and now it's time to make a decision.
We've reduced the training
from three months to twelve days.
Once they completed training,
you can give them weapons.
SENIOR SOLDIER: But Commander,
there's still an issue with the ammunition
It hasn't arrived.
You are the senior leader.
Be as creative as you can in this work.
These men are your support.
Make it happen.
SENIOR SOLDIER:
I just wanted to get your permission.
Done, now you have my order
to move forward.
Must I go around and find everyone
M16 ammunition?
How many bases are here in Lashkar Gah?
This effort will change
the destiny of this region.
It is a very important process.
If you think this is not worth the effort,
you are wrong.
It needs effort, patience, money,
and good leadership.
This is our job and our responsibility.
If not, then what is our job?
-Huh?
-SENIOR SOLDIER: Yeah.
(SIGHS)
(FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING)
This will lead to good results.
Should we leave now, sir?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT:
Freedom fighters, have strength.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
The last couple of months
have taken a toll on me psychologically.
(SIGHS)
With the US gone,
I'm feeling more pressure
on how to hold our country together.
I can see that the Afghan forces feel
that they're abandoned
in the middle of this vicious war.
And it is affecting their moral.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: As the General,
continuing to send men into the battle
without knowing their fate wears on me.
(CUTLERY CLATTERING)
GENERAL SADAT:
I can't let those feelings settle,
and I'm afraid that one day
everything will come back to me.
(FOREBODING MUSIC CONCLUDES)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ARABIC)
Hello father.
SADAT'S FATHER: (OVER PHONE)
Hello my son.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
How are you? How is everyone at home?
How's my son, my siblings, and mom?
SADAT'S FATHER:
Everyone is fine, everything is good.
Thank God.
SADAT'S FATHER: I really miss you.
(CHUCKLES)
I miss you too, father.
(REMARKS IN PASHTO)
SADAT'S FATHER: How is the heat there?
Are you in Lashkar Gah?
GENERAL SADAT:
Yes, father. I am in Lashkar Gah.
SADAT'S FATHER: Oh.
GENERAL SADAT: Oh.
SADAT'S FATHER:
Did I see on TV that Lashkar Gah is safe?
GENERAL SADAT: Yes, Lashkar Gah is secure.
SADAT'S FATHER: Yeah, but the media
said civilians are being killed.
Media can say anything, father.
They're doing their job, we're doing ours.
(GUNSHOTS FIRING IN DISTANCE)
(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
GENERAL SADAT: If we don't get support,
our forces in Marjah might surrender,
giving lots of equipment
and ammunition to the enemy,
which will be a big shame.
Sir, I urge you to get your men
to do their job.
If they want to rest now or go to Kabul,
it's totally up to them.
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
GENERAL SADAT: Yes, Lutfullah Khan?
Hey, how are you doing?
(MURMURING)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
The situation is getting worse.
What do we do?
This situation will not get any better.
(REMARKS IN PASHTO)
They are right over there.
(REMARKS IN PASHTO)
If we keep fighting for months,
we are going to lose 2,000, not 200.
Well, then I hope we all die.
Once they enter the city,
getting them out will be very hard.
Yes, no one will be able to do it then.
If the situation stays the same,
it'll be impossible to take the city back.
A lot of civilians will die.
GENERAL SADAT: So, what's going on guys?
Please remain seated.
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(CAR HORN HONKING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
FEMALE AFGHAN REPORTER:
All Afghans are very worried.
A lot of people are applying for visas
to leave the country
fearful the Taliban will gain control.
In the last day,
nine districts in Badakhshan,
two districts in Takhar,
and two districts in Kandahar
have fallen under Taliban control.
In the past two months, dozens
of districts have fallen to the Taliban
and they have seized
hundreds of military vehicles.
(NEWS ANCHOR CONTINUES SPEAKING)
Dear Commander, listen to me.
You are indeed of a higher rank than me.
But what happens if all these places fall?
We need airplanes to protect them.
We do have airplanes. We have everything.
(EXCLAIMS LIGHTHEARTEDLY)
KHALID:
There are no tanks, no vehicles, nothing.
GENERAL SADAT: Don't worry about it.
KHALID: This worries me.
GENERAL SADAT: No, don't worry.
KHALID: Look at Sultan Khel's base.
They surrendered yesterday.
GENERAL SADAT:
Don't show me these things, Khalid.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER PHONE)
KHALID: Watch this.
GENERAL SADAT: Don't show it to me,
Khalid. It's upsetting.
(TALIBAN SOLDIERS SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(GUNSHOT OVER PHONE)
KHALID: There is a lot of shooting.
GENERAL SADAT: I don't want to see it.
(SMACKS LIPS)
You showed me that video,
and I hurt my lip.
I told you many times
not to show that to me.
Dear Khalid, what else shall I do?
(CHUCKLES)
There are many issues
and too many problems.
We have to address people's concerns.
Did you know that all shops
in the city are closed?
You may not find food tomorrow.
You may not find anything at all.
We'll do something else. OK?
Tomorrow, we should go
inspect the frontlines.
KHALID: Brother, you need to avoid
public exposure.
GENERAL SADAT: This is not fighting.
We're to blame because we don't fight.
We sit here as if we're taking a dump.
We'll go to the front lines
ourselves tomorrow.
(CAR HORN HONKING)
GENERAL SADAT: Selab. Do you hear me?
SELAB: (OVER RADIO)
Don't stop. We made it and you can too.
GENERAL SADAT: He's an idiot.
What does he mean "we made it"?
Keep going.
(HUMVEE RUMBLING)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
There is a lot of shooting.
Go further.
-(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
The tanks should stop, correct?
SELAB: Yes, correct.
(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
(BREATHES HEAVILY, MUTTERS ANXIOUSLY)
(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)
GENERAL SADAT: I will go out first
and my guards should follow.
(IN ENGLISH) We got shooting on the left.
(SOLDIERS YELLING IN PASHTO)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
Make sure you cover yourself
behind the tanks or the walls.
All right. Let's go down.
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
(IN PASHTO) This way, Commander.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: What are you waiting for?
Why are you hiding?
I've ordered our men to attack
the areas they're firing from.
They are shooting from this side as well,
where some of our soldiers are.
SOLDIER 1: General, please get inside.
Send a few tanks over there.
I was going to send tanks.
SOLDIER 2: Which direction?
Shooting from both directions.
Shooting from the right and the back.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)
SOLDIER 3: The enemy is hiding
in these houses and firing from there.
GENERAL SADAT:
I already sent eight tanks over there.
We were instructed to move over here.
We're stuck here because of the bridge.
Once the bridge is fixed, we can go.
GENERAL SADAT: The problem is that
the Taliban are closing in on you.
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
-(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
-(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)
(SOLDIERS SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(GUN FIRING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
-(SOMBER MUSIC FADES)
-(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
GENERAL SADAT: Let's start the ceremony.
Stand to the left and the right.
SOLDIER 1: Ten martyrs, right?
SOLDIER 2: Yes, ten.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER 3: Salute, respect to the martyr.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SHOUTS ORDERS IN PASHTO)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
IMAM: (IN ARABIC) In the name of God,
the most gracious and merciful.
Pardon them, honor them,
and expand their entrance.
God, make their graves
a garden of paradise.
We come from God, and we return to God.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR IN DISTANCE)
(INDISTINCT YELLING)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
SOLDIER: (IN PASHTO) There's no room.
We have to shut the door.
Take this to Kabul for our injured men.
Shut the door.
SOLDIER: We have to close the door.
Let me in, let me in.
That's it, go away.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(EXPLOSIONS IN DISTANCE)
-(MUSIC FADES)
SOLDIER: (OVER PHONE)
Commander, we got intel
that the helicopters never landed.
They flew past Helmand
towards Kandahar.
Even though I told them
you had ordered them to stay here.
GENERAL SADAT: Sir, I got the news
and wanted to say goodbye to all of you.
When my battalion falls,
you and the Army Chief of Staff
are responsible.
I will say this to the president
in the morning.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
GENERAL SADAT: Hello, Minister.
Hope you're having a good evening.
I have a problem.
In the mornings,
my equipment requests are approved.
But by the evening, they're all canceled
and I'm left with nothing.
-(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)
-(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY)
I will sacrifice myself and my blood.
But when I'm attacked,
I can't be fighting
with the administration
and the Taliban at the same time.
If this is how it's going to go,
then I can't do this job.
I can't take this anymore, I'm exhausted.
I'm over this.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
-(RADIO BEEPS)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
It's crazy that the Taliban
are able to fight
right outside the Governor's house.
They shoot at the Governor's house
as they wish.
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
Alright, get in, guys.
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
GENERAL SADAT: Four, one,
Romeo, Papa, Quebec.
Two-six-eight-nine-five-dash,
nine-six-one-zero-zero,
how do you copy?
Eagle, Shikar?
Eagle, Eagle, Shikar?
How do you copy?
-(GUNSHOTS)
-GENERAL SADAT: Oh.
Guys, get down.
Get down, get down.
(IN PASHTO)
They have snipers shooting at us.
Get down.
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC SWELLS)
(REPORTER 1 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 2: (IN ENGLISH) Taliban
has been making rapid territory gains.
(REPORTER 3 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 4: (IN ENGLISH) The situation
is particularly bad in Lashkar Gah.
REPORTER 5: Hundreds
of civilians have been killed.
(REPORTER 6 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 7: (IN ENGLISH)
It's incredibly hard to get information
in and out of the city.
(REPORTER 8 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 9: (IN ENGLISH)
Afghanistan is in a real danger
of falling to the Taliban.
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
-(CROWD SCREAMING)
-(YELLING IN PASHTO)
REPORTER 1: (IN ENGLISH) The world
has been watching heartbreaking scenes
coming from Afghanistan.
REPORTER 2:
...Afghanistan as Taliban fighters
entered the capital city of Kabul
and then effectively took control
of the country.
(REPORTER 3 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 4: (IN ENGLISH)
Foreign nations are now scrambling
to get their citizens out, and the Afghans
who worked with them.
(REPORTER 5 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 6: (IN ENGLISH)
President Biden is now sending
3,000 troops back into Afghanistan
to evacuate citizens.
(REPORTER 7 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 8: (IN ENGLISH)
As the clock ticks by for thousands
to escape the Taliban rule,
the window of escape closes in seven days.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC FADES)
HIBATULLAH: (IN PASHTO)
Say God is great.
CROWD: (IN ARABIC)
God is great.
-(HIBATULLAH REPEATS CHANT IN PASHTO)
-(CROWD CHANTS IN RESPONSE)
-(HIBATULLAH CHANTING IN PASHTO)
-(CROWD CHANTING IN ARABIC)
Supreme leader
of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
-CROWD: Long live.
-HIBATULLAH: Supreme leader.
(CROWD CHANTS IN ARABIC)
SHEIKH: (IN PASHTO) Dear noble scholars.
These Americans came here
and dishonored our sisters and brothers
for the past 20 years.
Did they not invade our homeland?
Did they not attack
our thoughts and beliefs?
Those elements trained by the Jews
should not be forgiven.
Trained in America. Trained in Europe.
Did they not impose themselves
on Afghans by force?
And in what ways have they fulfilled
the dreams of Afghans?
-(MALE VOICE CHANTING IN PASHTO)
-(CROWD CHANTING IN ARABIC)
We have faith in God.
We have God.
We have law.
We have history.
The West doesn't have any real history.
We don't want anyone
to influence the Afghan people.
We want freedom.
We want the leadership of Islam.
And we want to represent our people.
(SHEIKH SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
Our country is everything we have.
A place to live and the reason to fight.
And we lost that.
The fall of the government was very quick
and shocking in many ways.
At the end of the battle for Helmand,
President Ashraf Ghani asked me
to become head
of all Afghan special operations.
When I arrived,
President Ghani then put me
in charge of all security in Kabul.
Then I got a call that President Ghani
had fled the country.
The news of the president spread quickly
and command centers and the polices lines
started falling apart.
I went to the US forces headquarter
and asked a general to help me
defend the city of Kabul.
But he said,
"You don't have a government, Sami,
"and we cannot support you anymore."
We didn't have the means to fight.
My job became getting
every essential personnel
under my command to safety.
I flew some of my men to Ukraine,
some to the US,
and evacuated my family
to another country.
I was sentenced to death
by hanging from the Taliban.
The US refused to help me,
so I was forced to flee
to the United Kingdom.
It was the hardest decision of my life
to leave Afghanistan.
I left my soul and I feel like I'm walking
in an empty vessel.
(MAN SPEAKING IN PASHTO OVER SPEAKER)
MALE ANNOUNCER: (IN ENGLISH, OVER SPEAKER)
Attention, if you are a US citizen
or a lawful permanent resident
of the United States
or have a US visa
inside your Afghan passport,
please approach the embassy.
We ask that everyone else please leave
and seek safety elsewhere.
(NERVOUS CHATTER)
(CROWD CLAMORING)
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
(DISCUSSING IN PASHTO)
CIVILIAN: (IN ENGLISH) Why not...
Why do you not opening the door? Why? Why?
(CLAMOR CONTINUES)
(PROTESTING IN PASHTO)
(CLAMOR STOPS)
US SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH, OVER SPEAKER)
There's probably about 6,000 people
waiting to get on like five aircraft.
And I'd rather have them stuck in an area
where they have established networks
and safe houses than send them
to another Taliban stronghold.
MATTHEW: We're all acknowledging
that is the real threat.
We just found out about 15 minutes ago
that one of our guys was just dragged
out of his home and executed.
-So, it...
-US SOLDIER 1: Son of a bitch.
Right. With... With, you know,
his family there present.
Uh, horrible, horrible situation, so...
We're still focusing on interpreters
that have worked with us.
They are top-tier, high-priority personnel
that are also HVIs for Taliban to kill.
I can tell you, personally,
I'm not leaving
until I get my guys' families
out of Afghanistan, so...
-MATTHEW: Yeah.
-US SOLDIER 1: I'll stay here
-until the job's done.
-MATTHEW: Okay.
Uh, we're all unofficially, officially
doing this, I think, at this point.
We've crossed out the...
Uh, we might as well get serious
and real about it
and at least organize our information
and communication flow.
Obviously, we got talented people
on all sides of the Zoom call right now.
US SOLDIER 2: Um, the process
for this goes as follows...
GENERAL SADAT: (OVER PHONE)
This is Sami, brother, how you doing?
We got a whole network of active
and retired Green Berets
that, uh, know Afghanistan,
and I'm trying to just move people
to safety right now.
All right. Thank you very much
for everything you're doing
to help the people trapped inside.
SOLDIER 1: (IN PASHTO, OVER PHONE)
Please accept my regards,
Commander, hope you're well.
GENERAL SADAT:
The shock is starting to wear off.
I'm trying hard to not let it
affect me too deeply.
SOLDIER 2: (OVER PHONE) Commander,
what are we going to do
about our families?
GENERAL SADAT:
We're trying to get them out.
I will try my absolute best.
I've arranged something in Tajikistan.
It's close and we can
evacuate people there.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-US SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH) How many?
-(MALE VOICE RESPONDS IN PASHTO)
(IN ENGLISH) Four?
Get... Get your family together.
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
US SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH) Come on,
buddy, let's go. It's okay. Come on.
Here we go, my man. It's all right.
It's okay. Come on, it's all right.
Come here. Come on. Come with me.
Let's go. It's okay. Come on.
Here you go, lads.
Give me that one. Careful, careful,
careful. Come here, sweetie. Come here.
-Come here, little one. (CHUCKLES)
-Oh, hello there.
-Hello. Hello.
-SOLDIER 2: Hello.
Hello.
-Is she lost?
-No, no, no. She's mine. I got her.
-(COMFORTING IN PASHTO)
-(CRIES)
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(IN ENGLISH) Who's that? Who's that?
That's her brother.
No.
No, get back.
-Listen, that's it.
-Hey, hey.
That's it we're done. That's it.
(IN PASHTO)
They won't let your brother go.
(IN ENGLISH) I'm sorry, you can't.
You've got one passport
for eight children.
-You didn't say about him a minute ago.
-We didn't know.
I'm sorry. We can't take him.
He's an adult.
I'm sorry, we can't help him.
BRITISH SOLDIER 1: Wait. Wait.
Get down. Get down.
Get down.
I was an interpreter,
I supported your mission.
My brother's dead.
I beg you, please.
Give me a chance, please.
-US SOLDIER 3: Get back right now.
-Please, sir.
-US SOLDIER 3: Get back. Get back.
-Help me, please.
-We're in danger, please.
-US SOLDIER 3: Get back now.
-Help me, please. Please.
-US SOLDIER 3: Get back now. Get back
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-BRITISH SOLDIER 2: Fuck off.
-BRITISH SOLDIER 3: Get the fuck off.
My family!
(REPORTER 1 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 2: (IN ENGLISH)
Desperation grows as the clock ticks down.
(REPORTER 3 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 4: (IN ENGLISH) The US
has been warning of potential attack
for several days now.
(REPORTER 5 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 6: (IN ENGLISH) Nearby,
Taliban fighters watch over the crowd.
(REPORTER 7 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 8: (IN ENGLISH)
The humanitarian situation
remains catastrophic.
(REPORTER 9 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 10: (IN ENGLISH)
At least 18,000 Afghans
have waited months or years for a Visa.
REPORTER 11: The big question is
what will happen
to those who are left behind?
(REPORTER 12 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(IN ENGLISH) US passport.
No, that's not a passport.
It's a piece of paper.
-No.
-No.
No, it doesn't work.
I got approval.
But nobody is helping us now.
Nothing is gonna work for us.
This is the approval I got
from the US Embassy.
(IN PASHTO) Sir, we'll give $5,000
to each pilot who agrees to go.
We'll pay for each flight.
One flight, two flights,
however many flights they can do.
We also promise to transfer
their families to the United States.
SOLDIER: (OVER PHONE) Last night,
during the Taliban attack on Panjshir,
many people were killed.
SADAT'S FRIEND: (OVER PHONE) Man, I think
we've lost all hope for Afghanistan.
Will we ever go back?
I know the situation is a mess.
But you are not alone
I am always there for you, my friend.
(AIRPLANE ENGINE REVVING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
US SOLDIER: (IN ENGLISH, OVER SPEAKER)
Everybody should be facing the front.
Line up on a strap. No circles,
facing the front.
There should be no space between you
and the person in front of you.
(INAUDIBLE)
REPORTER 1: The Taliban resurgence
is raising fears that women's right
could be all but eliminated
in Afghanistan.
(REPORTER 2 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 3: (IN ENGLISH)
The country is in economic free-fall
with over 90 percent
of households going hungry.
(OVERLAPPING NEWS BROADCASTS
CONTINUE INDISTINCTLY)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
from the Treaty Room of the White House,
a place where American presidents
have worked for peace.
We're a peaceful nation.
Yet as we have learned so suddenly
and so tragically,
there can be no peace
in a world of sudden terror.
The name of today's military operation
is Enduring Freedom.
We defend not only our precious freedoms
but also the freedom of people everywhere
to live and raise their children
free from fear.
OBAMA: My fellow Americans,
we've traveled through more than a decade
under the dark cloud of war.
Yet here in the pre-dawn darkness
of Afghanistan,
we can see the light of a new day
on the horizon.
TRUMP: In every generation
we have faced down evil,
and we have always prevailed.
But our commitment is not unlimited.
BIDEN: How many more generations
of America's daughters and sons
would you have me send
to fight Afghanistan's civil war?
I'm clear on my answer.
I will not repeat the mistakes
we've made in the past.
(AIRPLANE ENGINE REVVING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER 1: Hey!
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
SOLDIER 1: Hey, hey!
(GUNSHOT FIRING)
(CAR HORNS HONKING)
(SOLDIER YELLING IN PASHTO)
SOLDIER 2: Only American passports.
Don't waste your energy.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER 3: Back up.
MALE VOICE 1: (IN ENGLISH) Hey.
SOLDIER 3: (IN PASHTO) I said back up.
I said back up.
Go back.
Get back, brothers.
For God's sake, get back.
I swear to God I have a green card.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(CAR HORNS HONKING)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
MALE VOICE 2: (IN ENGLISH) Okay. Okay.
(IN PASHTO) Move away.
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
-(GRUNTS)
MALE VOICE 3: (IN ENGLISH) Hey!
FEMALE VOICE: (IN PASHTO) Dad?
(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
Javed?
Javed?
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(CRIES)
SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH) Hey, hey.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
(SOMBER MUSIC FADES)
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
MATTHEW: It's two decades of investment
and we're trying to identify
who the key Afghan leaders are.
We wanna position them
for the long term...
so that we can keep
what we've started here going.
These guys have...
They have our DNA, right.
They just... They have adopted it now
and they have that worst period,
that motivation that... That's, uh...
Just gut instinct
that they can get it done.
When you sit down with General Sadat,
you can see it.
We're the only ones out here
right now. It's only us.
You, being co-located with him,
you have a sense
of what the real need is.
When General Sadat
is asking for something,
we could sense his stress levels.
We're in this together.
That's the reality.
We got to recognize it.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
Brothers, at ease.
SOLDIERS: Sir, yes sir.
GENERAL SADAT: Brothers, at ease.
SOLDIERS: Sir, yes sir.
Sir.
Stand at ease.
GENERAL SADAT: In the name of God.
Greetings freedom fighters,
friends, and fellow soldiers.
I'm standing with you
every step of the way.
With love, patience,
and appreciation for each other
you can succeed.
You will never be left alone.
Never feel mercy
for the Taliban terrorists.
Don't let them advance.
Don't let them advance
under any circumstances.
Fight them hard.
Don't return until you've killed
the very last Talib.
Look left, look right, look up and down.
Do you see any force
that would be able to stand up to you?
SOLDIERS: No.
GENERAL SADAT: Friends, are you ready?
SOLDIERS: Yes.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
I grew up in the '90s in Kabul.
My father was in the resistance.
He was ultimately arrested
and put in jail by the Taliban.
My father's imprisonment made me think
that I will never get my father back.
Everyone that was imprisoned
has disappeared
or was hanged by the Taliban.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
GENERAL SADAT: But I saw my father coming
with his army into Kabul,
and they liberated the whole city.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)
GENERAL SADAT: I still feel
that joy in my heart.
That gives me motivation to move forward.
It takes years, months,
the whole of my life,
it doesn't really matter.
This is the kind of faith I cling onto.
-Good morning.
-Hi, sir. Good morning, sir.
JACK: General, have you met, uh, Charlie?
So, big news, huh?
You're a two-star general now.
-GENERAL SADAT: Yeah.
-JACK: I mean, that's huge news.
I was thinking about it last night, how...
how freaking amazing it is for you
to be in your position.
And just like, "Hey, you're doing such
a good job. Here's some more territory."
It's a lot of responsibility.
Yeah. Are you gonna be okay with that?
-Wait.
-I don't have a choice.
You don't have a choice, do you? Yeah.
What can I do, you know?
-My guys are dying every day.
-Oh, yeah. Everyday matters.
GENERAL SADAT: Two nights ago,
ten ANA soldiers were killed
-by one sniper man in Khash Rod.
-JACK: Hmm.
Ten ANA soldiers.
CHARLIE: You said that was
a primarily a sniper there?
-Yeah.
-CHARLIE: That...
Yeah, there was no other explosion,
no shrapnels.
-Sniper shots.
-JACK: Hmm.
We need time before we're ready to stage
large scale attacks on the Taliban.
JACK: In a couple days we'll know
if the administration really wants
to leave Afghanistan.
CHARLIE: Don't expect
the decision to be one day...
-Okay.
-...a switch is flipped, but...
hopefully it'll be the first step
in that direction.
We're looking forward to more clarity
as much as you are.
True. True. True.
GEORGE: The main purpose, right?
The main reason why we are here
is to increase your survivability
and lethality on the battlefield.
Today we will focus on marksmanship
and sniper training.
Twenty-six fifty.
Twenty-six forty-one.
-Yeah, go ahead.
-(GUNSHOT)
FEMALE REPORTER: The war in Afghanistan
is known by several other names,
America's Longest War,
The Forever War,
and The Endless War.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
US SOLDIER: We just go high
and tight up top,
put the tourniquet where it is
or close to it.
See?
FEMALE REPORTER: President Biden
now faces a difficult decision,
stick to a deal brokered
by his predecessor
to withdraw all troops by May first
or extend the conflict once again.
JACK: Just let me know
if anything turns violent.
Confirm Taliban coming out
of those compounds.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(AFGHAN SOLDIER 1 SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(IN ENGLISH) Did you shoot me? Bam, bam?
-AFGHAN SOLDIER 2: No, no, no.
-TRANSLATOR: No, he said freeze.
I didn't freeze.
(TRANSLATOR SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
TRANSLATOR: (IN ENGLISH)
That's why I shot you.
-You didn't stop.
-Oh, you shot me? Okay.
-TRANSLATOR: Yeah.
-I didn't hear.
Even if you're a civilian, good guy,
not carrying weapon,
if I tell you freeze and you didn't stop,
we will shoot you
or a warning shot, you know.
AMERICAN TRAINER:
Warning shot's a good tool.
-(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
-AMERICAN TRAINER: (IN ENGLISH) Okay.
That's your choice, all right?
Depending on the situation what to do.
You don't instantly have to kill me.
(TRANSLATOR SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
AMERICAN TRAINER: (IN ENGLISH)
That's one reason that this war
has gone on for so long.
Innocent men who died in 2000, 2005,
their sons are now of age
to be joining the Taliban.
So we always have to be incredibly sure
that we only shoot the right guys
because last thing we wanna do
is create more people who hate us
and wanna kill us ten years from now
when they're old enough.
(TRANSLATOR SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(KEYBOARD KEYS CLACKING)
-(PHONE DIALING, RINGING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GEORGE: (IN ENGLISH) Hey, how's it going?
Yeah, we still wanna know
how many people were on
that second bird that crashed.
It crashed in a relatively
desolate portion of Washer.
US SOLDIER: Sir, the Taliban are posting
that they shot it down.
Could be nothing.
But right now,
there's guys chattering on the radio,
like, all excited that they shot down
the helicopters.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-GEORGE: Hey, sir, can you hear us?
-Yes.
GEORGE: We're picking up radio chatter
that the Taliban said they shot it down,
but, you know, of course
they would claim that.
-(PHONE TRILLING)
-I think we might have casualties as well,
-KIAs.
-GEORGE: Yeah. Okay.
Hopefully not.
Okay. The KIAs identity is confirmed.
He's one of my guards from KKA.
-GEORGE: I'm sorry to hear that.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(PATIENTS GROANING)
(PATIENTS YELLING)
(DOCTOR SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(YELLS)
(IN ENGLISH) Taliban motherfucker.
(PATIENT YELLING)
This Al-Qaeda motherfucker.
(PATIENTS GROANING, SCREAMING)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
Is that a wound on the nose or head?
DOCTOR:
Commander, his whole body is damaged.
Meaning the blood is coming
from his nose, not his brain?
That, we can't tell yet.
They said they can transfer
four casualties,
but we need to transfer six.
No, they will transfer six people.
There is no issue.
(IN ENGLISH) I think we have six,
so the doctor is recommending
six for medical evacuation.
US SOLDIER 1: All right.
US SOLDIER 2:
I mean we tasked up for four.
Um, I think... I think that four is what
our little clinic on our little base,
that's what they can handle.
And then they're gonna medevac
from there.
All right.
Once we transfer,
can we transfer two more?
-(SCREAMING IN DISTANCE)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey, brother, I'm at the hospital.
Your colleagues are here.
The initial request are for four injuries
to be medically evacuated
and now we have six.
Can you approve two more, brother?
(HEART RATE MONITOR BEEPING)
-I think they're all head injuries.
-(DOOR SQUEAKING)
Okay. Thank you, brother.
I appreciate it. Cheers.
(IN PASHTO) It's all set.
(IN ENGLISH) Okay.
-I'll let you guys do the work.
-US SOLDIER 1: Okay. All right. On it.
-I just came here to thank you...
-US SOLDIER 2: We'll start making...
-We'll make our phone calls that we need.
-...for everything. It's a hard day
-for us. Thank you.
-US SOLDIER 2: Yeah. We're here to help.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
US SOLDIER 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and then 6.
-US SOLDIER 3: Ready to roll?
-SU SOLDIER 4: Come on, let's go.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(PHONE RINGING)
SOLDIER 1: (IN PASHTO) Yes, brother.
SOLDIER 2: (OVER PHONE) The situation
around Jegha Dar outpost
doesn't look good.
Do we have any support
over these areas, sir?
SOLDIER 1:
There is no support at this time.
SOLDIER 2: Sir, support is needed.
We've got problems here.
SOLDIER 1: OK, give me the coordinates.
SOLDIER 2: 52, 763.
JACK: (IN ENGLISH)
Hey. How 'bout this one?
SOLDIER 1: Four to five Taliban
moving in these coordinates.
Okay.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(CLEARS THROAT)
-(KEYBOARD CLACKING)
US SOLDIER 1: Yeah. Uh, 15 45s.
JACK: See how they're starting
to congregate right there?
It's confirmed Taliban
and Taliban facilitators.
Now, they're following these guys.
They've been sitting under the trees
for like 30 minutes.
But, uh, like this is their rally point,
so if they come back out
maybe they'll strike.
-US SOLDIER 2: Keep going on this dude.
-US SOLDIER 3: Are there any...
US SOLDIER 2: That guy's got something.
Yeah, they came running out
of the compound we've been watching.
US SOLDIER 4: And then they ducked
into the bushes. Keep watching.
US SOLDIER 3: How far is he
from the current force?
US SOLDIER 2: These guys severed
the long cross wires.
Like that middle guy.
They've all got weapons.
Yeah, those are weapons
all in a route of production.
I mean, it's three dudes out there
with military-grade equipment,
and we already confronted,
it's no friendlies, so...
US SOLDIER 5: Get ready.
JACK: What do you want, call in attack?
Yup.
JACK: Alright, launch attacking.
US SOLDIER 6: Roger,
orient the guns to west.
REZNIK: Five-nine-six.
-Two-five-nine-four-five.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
JACK: OK, ready to launch.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-Hey, Reznik. It's gonna launch.
-Okay?
-REZNIK: Okay.
US SOLDIER 4:
He's getting on a motorcycle.
-US SOLDIER 3: He is?
-US SOLDIER 4: Yeah.
-Up against the wall.
-US SOLDIER 3: Yeah.
-(MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER RADIO)
-Further up, so we can start.
Also look at that area.
US SOLDIER 3: Is the other guy a jihad?
Follow that motorcycle, lightning.
JACK: Yup, that's him.
All right. Final approach.
-US SOLDIER 7: Coming in...
-JACK: Three, two...
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-US SOLDIER 8: Boom!
-US SOLDIER 9: Yeah, boom!
-US SOLDIER 10: Shit. (CHUCKLES)
US SOLDIER 11: The guy's on fire.
He's burning.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)
US SOLDIER 12: (OVER RADIO)
Go for kill one.
US SOLDIER 13: (OVER RADIO)
He's talking about it. Over.
US SOLDIER 12: Stall. Fast radio check.
If you don't want me to bring it down,
do you want me to transport it back to...
-(AZAAN PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
-(DOGS BARKING)
GENERAL SADAT: It's a strange
and confusing time right now.
The Americans trained me
and they have worked with me
for so many years.
I can't imagine them
withdrawing from Afghanistan
any time soon...
especially after all the money spent
and the lives lost.
(GRUNTS)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(SOLDIERS LAUGHING)
-George?
-Hell yeah.
Awesome, yeah. Hit them out there.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Real pros should actually be able
to light the cigar in the fire.
MALE VOICE 1: I tried to but the fire
is a little hot tonight.
GENERAL SADAT:
I think your beard will start to burn.
-Oh, yeah. My...
-(LAUGHS)
-(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
-(MALE VOICE 1 LAUGHING)
MALE VOICE 2: (IN ENGLISH) This is
my fifth or sixth really long trip.
-Yes.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MALE VOICE 2: When I was here
in 2013 in Kapisa,
my son did not talk when I left.
And when I came home,
he was speaking and everything.
And, you know,
he would barely recognize me.
It's hard.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
MALE VOICE 3: If you ask me,
any hasty American withdrawal
right now would be disastrous.
GEORGE: I think the Taliban understand
if they were to do
like an entire offensive,
they would provoke us
conducting air strikes.
Given right now it's just such
a politically sensitive time.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(WIND BLOWING)
BIDEN: My fellow Americans...
I believe that our presence
in Afghanistan should be focused
on the reason we went in the first place.
To ensure Afghanistan
would not be used as a base
from which to attack our homeland again.
We did that. (SMACKS LIPS)
We accomplished that objective.
We delivered justice
to Bin Laden a decade ago,
and we've stayed in Afghanistan
for a decade since.
Since then, our reasons
to remain in Afghanistan
become increasingly unclear.
Keeping thousands of troops
concentrated in this one country,
at a cost of billions each year,
makes little sense to me.
Not when we had 98,000 troops
in Afghanistan,
and not when we're down to a few thousand.
Our diplomacy does not hinge
on having boots in harm's way,
U.S. boots on the ground.
I conclude that it's time
to end America's longest war.
The United States will begin
our final withdrawal
beginning on May 1 of this year.
Thank you all for listening.
May God protect our troops.
May God bless all those families
who lost someone innocent there.
JACK: Let's get ahead of it now.
US SOLDIER: Yeah.
JACK: It's only gonna get worse.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
GEORGE: All right, guys.
I just got off the phone
with General Miller.
He's been talking
to the Secretary of Defense
and other key leaders in government.
And they're basically made the decision
to pull everybody out...
starting immediately.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
So... the plan we came up with,
ten-day retrograde plan for us,
uh, it's gonna be a very quick retrograde.
There's many things we need to do.
We got to get people off of the base.
We got to get team property off the base,
and then we got to sanitize and clear
everything that we're leaving behind.
Any type of paper, documents,
whether it's classified, unclassified,
it's gonna get burned.
We don't have a lot of time
to get a lot done.
We got to really start moving
on some of this stuff.
I really wanna stress the...
the hastiness that needs to happen.
(GENERAL SADAT BREATHING HEAVILY)
SOLDIER: (IN DARI PERSIAN, OVER PHONE)
Dear Commander, I wanted to check on you.
I hope you're okay.
We had a huge setback today.
Morale has been crushed.
So we need to fix that.
It's essential. We must work together.
-(SIGHING)
-(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(METAL CLANGING)
GEORGE: (IN ENGLISH)
I talked to General Sadat today.
You know, of course, he's disappointed,
but he knows it's not our decision.
So he's gonna continue doing his thing,
and we'll continue supporting him
as long as we can.
US SOLDIER: What the Taliban are doing,
they're surveying bases,
so that way they could prioritize
what bases they wanna attack first.
I think there's a good chance
that they practice tactical patience
and not gonna do it until we are gone.
They know what they have.
They know the best thing
that could possibly happen
for them long term is for us leaving.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
-US SOLDIER: Fire.
-(METAL CLANGING)
-Fire.
-(METAL CLANGING)
Destroy and retrograde all computers
in accordance with JPBO.
This is the shit in the instructions.
Uh, expend all loose
and non-factory-packed ammunition.
No ammunition handed over
to partner forces is authorized.
(CHAIR SCRAPING)
US SOLDIER 1: Fuck, man.
Sorry.
-GEORGE: Yeah.
-US SOLDIER 2: You're good.
US SOLDIER 3: Retrograde means
you're shitting in the trench.
-That's just what it is.
-(LAUGHING)
US SOLDIER 1: It's unbelievable, really.
US SOLDIER 4: That's pretty messed up,
but there's nothing we can do about it.
I tried to offer another route
and got shut down.
(SIGHS)
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC FADES)
All right, y'all. The reason that
we came to meet with you guys today.
As you may have guessed already,
you may have heard already.
So a little bit of a heavy heart
that I have to tell you this, but, uh...
we're leaving Afghanistan pretty soon.
There's a lot of guys in here
that have spent a lot of years
and have been
in a lot of danger, and, uh...
it's been for our safety
most of the time.
So I wanna thank each and every one of you
for all of the work you've done
and all the dangerous spots
that you've been in
since you've been working
with the Americans.
And I want... I want all you guys to know
that we were blindsided
with this news very, very recently.
We weren't holding on to this information
and not telling you guys, okay?
(IN PASHTO) If we go back
to our normal civilian lives,
we will be in danger.
If we work with the Afghan government,
we will be tracked down and harassed
and the government
will not be able to do anything.
I don't know about the others,
but my house has been targeted twice.
None of these soldiers will be safe.
US SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH) These decisions
are made way, way, way above us.
Us, the people on the ground,
unfortunately,
we have very little input in that.
(AFGHAN SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
TRANSLATOR: (IN ENGLISH)
It's not your fault. We know.
US SOLDIER 2: Yeah. I mean, honestly,
we really can't express to you guys enough
what it means to us,
the job that you've done
and who you guys are as people.
Like, we really, really do
truly appreciate you guys
for everything that you've done.
(AFGHAN SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(FOLK MUSIC PLAYING)
(SOLDIERS AND INTERPRETERS CHEERING)
(SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(SOLDIERS LAUGHING)
(LAUGHS)
US SOLDIER 3: (IN ENGLISH)
Is that a bird on your shoulder
or are you just happy to see me?
(MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(SOLDIERS APPLAUDING, CHEERING)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
US SOLDIER: Three, two, one!
Yeah!
(EXPLOSION)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(IN PASHTO) Where are the Taliban going?
SOLDIER 1:
They are right there in the center.
I see right there.
Some Taliban have entered Qalai Mukhtar.
Brothers, they're getting closer,
let's keep an eye on them.
I think they're waiting
for the US to leave Helmand.
Then they will attack.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(FIRE CRACKLING)
JACK: (IN ENGLISH) How old are you?
US SOLDIER 1: Twenty.
Were you born when this war started?
US SOLDIER 1: Yeah, barely.
Barely.
US SOLDIER 1: I was like one.
-JACK: You were still in diapers.
-(CHUCKLES)
Hey, can you grab all those care packages
and start throwing them to the fire?
-US SOLDIER 1: Yeah, where they at?
-Uh, they used to be in the back.
US SOLDIER 1: Of the building?
Yeah, we can't take them with us.
I'm not the president
of the United States, I don't...
But someone had to make a call,
and he made a call.
You know,
you're never gonna have all the...
answers to a decision
that you need to make
if you wait for all the answers.
And in the time you've made
that decision in the past. So...
you make a decision
with the best information
you have available at the time
and you roll with it.
If I knew more than that,
I'd get paid more.
US SOLDIER 2: True, it's the end
of something. But...
what is it the end of? The end of an era?
The end of an operation?
Of a project? I don't know.
Only history will tell us
what exactly it is the end of.
(FLAGPOLE RATTLING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
US SOLDIER 1: It'll be right side up.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-GENERAL SADAT: I think it's entangled.
-US SOLDIER 2: Yeah.
-GENERAL SADAT: Can you lower it?
-Yeah.
-US SOLDIER 3: Yeah.
All right.
US SOLDIER 4: Watch your head.
-GENERAL SADAT: One, two, three. Hurrah.
-(SOLDIER GRUNTING)
(SOMBER MUSIC FADES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
Stand at attention.
To respect our national flag
face the flag.
Salute.
Stand at ease.
US SOLDIER: (IN ENGLISH)
Stay safe here. Thank you, sir.
-GENERAL SADAT: I'll miss you guys.
-JACK: Yeah, we'll see.
GENERAL SADAT: Are we seeing you tomorrow?
JACK: We'll be gone. Yeah.
GENERAL SADAT:
Oh, you're leaving early in the morning?
-JACK: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
-(SIGHS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
I wish you all the best.
Yes, sir. Bring it in.
All right. How you doing?
This is it. Uh...
Hey, sir, I just want to tell you,
I've been coming over here since 2013.
Um, we've lost quite a few Green Berets.
Um, this is definitely an emotional thing
for a lot of us.
It's something I'll always look back
and reflect on.
It's, uh, it's tough leaving.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
It was a great honor, sir.
I wish you all the best.
-Thank you, sir.
-All right.
JACK: There comes a point
where whoever took part
in a war ask themselves,
"Why did we do it? What did we achieve?
"And what did we sacrifice to get there?"
Twenty years and two trillion dollars.
Two-and-a-half-thousand Americans
dead alone,
not even counting for Afghans
or coalition.
There's a cost. There's a huge cost.
-(AIRPLANE ENGINE BLARING)
-JACK: This isn't a win.
Everything we've gained is at risk.
JACK: General Sadat, this is Chief Jack.
May you please tell your men,
uh, give them the best for us.
We share your frustrations,
knowing that we may or may not be there
for, uh, the upcoming fights.
We haven't given up on you.
All right, sir, uh, take care.
Stay safe and we'll talk soon.
(AFGHANI REPORTER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
MALE REPORTER 1: (IN ENGLISH)
What is happening on the ground
-there in Afghanistan?
-FEMALE REPORTER 1: Well,
some have described it
as a new day dawning.
(MALE REPORTER 2 SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
FEMALE REPORTER 2: (IN ENGLISH)
US forces may have
largely left Afghanistan,
but the country's
four-decade long war continues.
(MALE REPORTER 3 SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
MALE REPORTER 4: (IN ENGLISH) ...already,
the Taliban are increasing attacks
on Afghan forces...
(MALE REPORTER 5 SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
FEMALE REPORTER 3: (IN ENGLISH)
The reports of US Intelligence
estimating that once the US
is fully out of the country...
(MALE REPORTER 6 SPEAKING
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
...the Afghan government could fall
in as little as six months.
FEMALE VOICE: There's a young general
who's become very famous
in Afghanistan, General Sami Sadat,
and he's managed to repel
multiple attacks by the Taliban.
That shows there are people
who are capable of fighting
and still determined to fight.
(GUN CHAMBER CLICKING)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
In the name of God,
greetings
to our dear friends and brothers.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
Come out of your homes.
Come off of the streets.
Come to your national security forces.
Come and take up arms.
This is the day. This is the time.
(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)
If everything we have works together,
is there any power that can break us?
-Allahu Akbar!
-Allahu Akbar!
-(CROWD APPLAUDING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
This is a fight between
totalitarianism and freedom.
(IN PASHTO)
We will defend our country, yes?
CROWD: Yes.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
The Taliban used the script
of the Holy Quran
for their own political interest.
Trying to control and govern the ethics
and the rule of life for everyone else.
(IN PASHTO) Are you ready?
CROWD: Yes.
-Say, "God is great."
-CROWD: God is great.
-(REPEATS CHANT IN PASHTO)
-(CROWD CHANTS IN RESPONSE)
(CROWD CHEERING, APPLAUDING)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
This society wants to be free.
They know that under the Taliban,
they will not have food.
They will not allow women to work.
They don't allow women to be educated.
They will be enslaved
to those terrorist ideas.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(GENERAL SADAT SPEAKING IN DARI PERSIAN)
We are recruiting 1,000 new soldiers
to the Afghan National Army.
Right now, people are interested
in working with us
because of our courage,
bravery, and resistance.
I don't want you to get nervous
like in the other provinces.
This process must not fail.
SOLDIER 1: Commander, consider
how much ammunition
will be wasted in practice.
Weapons training will be very costly.
GENERAL SADAT: We must let them train.
It will make a huge difference
on the battlefield.
(SPEAKS IN DARI PERSIAN)
SOLDIER 2: (OVER RADIO)
Uqab, you saw the vehicles, right?
SOLDIER 3: (OVER RADIO)
With six or seven people gathered?
Confirming this is the enemy, correct?
SOLDIER 4: Roger, we see them,
we've been tracking them.
That's the target.
With your approval,
they'll launch an air strike.
Even if they miss the target,
they'll still inflict damage.
They will not miss it, man.
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
Tell them to strike immediately,
they're getting in the car.
Hit it wherever it goes.
SOLDIER 4: (OVER RADIO) By the time
the chopper arrives,
the Talibs will hear our communication.
They'll disperse and it'll all be in vain.
If you attack from the northeast,
God willing, we will not have
any collateral damage.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: 25, 326.
94, 864.
These are the enemy's coordinates.
GENERAL SADAT: (OVER RADIO)
You know what to do, brother.
(MISSILES FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: (OVER RADIO) Commander,
we missed the target and hit the road.
SOLDIER 1: Come on,
key in the coordinates immediately.
AFGHAN PILOT 2: (OVER RADIO) 250, 800.
AFGHAN PILOT 3: (OVER RADIO)
We are going to finish the mission.
Brother, do it.
As you know,
this is a very important target.
AFGHAN PILOT 2: Copy that.
(MISSILES FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT: Well done.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER 2: (OVER RADIO)
The vehicle stopped moving.
The target has been destroyed.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
SOLDIER 3: (OVER RADIO)
Two of the six are dead. One wounded.
The one standing up
is picking up the dead.
Send me the report tomorrow
about which motherfuckers
have been killed.
so that we can see who in that strike
has been handed a ticket to hell.
SOLDIER 1: Commander, we still see
enemy movements here in the Lashkar Gah.
AFGHAN COMMANDER: This location
is very important for us
because if this front line is pushed back,
the Taliban will get really close
to the city.
Another thing, Commander,
the enemy is preparing.
They haven't attacked us
for the last three to four nights.
So they are in preparation mode now.
They will certainly attack us
within the next three days.
That's why they've been very quiet
for the last three nights.
Alright. That's that.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
I wanna live long enough
to see peace in our country.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: Spend time
with my family, with my son.
Grow old in Afghanistan.
And ultimately, die in Afghanistan.
My family believes in the cause.
But they're afraid
that they will lose me into the cause.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER: (IN PASHTO, OVER RADIO)
Our base is being attacked by mortars.
We have two martyrs as a result.
(PHONE RINGING)
GENERAL SADAT: Hello, sir.
Unfortunately, Tapi Toopchi base
has been overrun by the Taliban.
I was afraid of that.
God forbids, if one place falls,
it will impact other places too.
SOLDIER: (OVER RADIO) Our guys abandoned
the district office,
the prison, and the police station.
The Taliban has taken over.
It's an order to everyone to stay there.
(SIGHS)
(SIGHING)
Our men have abandoned the district.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
What should we do?
If we tell them to go back,
they may be too exhausted.
Parwani, come here.
Do you think if we order them
to recapture the district,
they'll have the energy and will to do it?
They must do something.
Otherwise, it means
they too are surrendering.
GENERAL SADAT: What about supplies?
They don't have ammunition, unfortunately.
(CELL PHONE BEEPING)
BLACKHAWK COMMANDER: (OVER PHONE)
Commander,
I am the Deputy
Blackhawk Commander.
Hello.
Resupplying the 4th Battalion
is very important to us.
They need our help.
(MISSILES FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: The enemy is striking
other personnel in the area.
GENERAL SADAT: (OVER RADIO)
Are you being fired at right now?
I have no visuals.
-(EXPLOSION)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: Cobra, Cobra.
They're attacking with RPGs. Be careful.
They are attacking us from that location.
(RADIO CRACKLES)
AFGHAN PILOT 1: (OVER RADIO)
We want to land, but they won't let us.
They are striking us.
Destroy as many Taliban targets
as you can.
AFGHAN PILOT 1:
Cobra, can you hear me? Cobra.
They're not letting us move forward.
(GUN FIRING)
AFGHAN PILOT 2:
It's impossible to complete the mission.
Also, we're running out of fuel.
Let's get to a safe altitude,
and I’ll turn around.
(GENERAL SADAT GROANS SOFTLY)
(PHONE LINE TRILLING)
(GENERAL SADAT SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
AFGHAN PILOT 2: (OVER PHONE)
Sir, the helicopter landed
and won't be able to fly again.
(DOG PANTING)
GENERAL SADAT: Yes, Governor, I know.
Let's hope for the best.
We will continue to fight them.
The rest we leave to God.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
DOCTOR 1:
They wrapped the tourniquet yesterday
and haven't opened it since then.
Was it a mine?
DOCTOR 2: No, it was an RPG.
(HEART RATE MONITOR BEEPING)
How many are injured?
DOCTOR 1: 36.
We have 36 injured?
DOCTOR 1:
Yes, all from the last operations.
The total number is 36.
How many of those need surgery?
DOCTOR 1: 22 of them need surgery.
Hello, how are you all?
How are you?
How are you? Lay down.
How are you, young man?
Freedom fighters, we wish you good health.
May God heal you quickly.
PATIENT: I have complaint
about my company commander.
Yes?
He smokes hashish, and then sits stoned
and doesn't move.
So, his men surrender to the Taliban.
They're disappointed in him.
Don't worry.
It's because of worry and stress.
Don't stress at all.
It's just a wave.
God willing, we'll regain all territory.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
We don't have any more patients, right?
(GREETING IN PASHTO)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT:
When I look at the situation,
it has now become a war of attrition.
Both for us and for the Taliban.
For the Taliban,
it's about recruiting fighters
and deciding what areas to control.
And it's tiring for us because our bases
are surrounded by them
and we don't have strong air power.
SOLDIER: Commander, after the withdrawal
of international forces,
the main goal of the enemy in this area
is to capture the city of Lashkar Gah.
If Lashkar Gah falls,
we won't be able to hold onto Kabul.
The collapse will start from here.
MARY LOUISE: (IN ENGLISH)
Despite your efforts,
if things get worse instead of better,
if the worse comes to pass,
and your government falls...
GENERAL SADAT: Well,
I don't think for a second
that our government will fall.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
GENERAL SADAT: We will beat the odds.
We always did, you know?
Now, call me an optimist,
but this is why I serve,
this is why I choose the worst place
in Afghanistan
to take command and to lead my men.
MARY LOUISE:
That is Commanding General Sami Sadat
speaking to us from the frontlines there
in Southwestern Afghanistan.
General Sadat,
thanks for being with us again.
GENERAL SADAT: Thank you, Mary Louise.
Right now, the battle in Lashkar Gah
is the most important frontline.
I decided it's time to move operations.
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
GENERAL AUSTIN: (OVER PHONE) Sami,
I'm checking in to see how you're doing.
You just let me know
how things are going
and how you're seeing things
in Helmand right now.
Stay well. Talk to you soon.
GENERAL SADAT: Hey, sir.
I have arrived in Lashkar Gah.
I'm staying in Lashkar Gah
and fight from here.
SOLDIER: (IN PASHTO, OVER PHONE)
Commander, we just received intel
that the enemy has prepared a car bomb.
It's heading in your direction.
GENERAL SADAT: Let's get moving.
(HUMVEE ENGINE REVVING)
(CAR HORN HONKING)
-(CAR HORN HONKING)
-(EXPLOSION IN DISTANCE)
(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)
-(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
These are the photos
of the vehicle-borne IED.
Basically, a vehicle that's packed
with explosives to attack my convoy.
So before they reached our convoy,
the vehicle self-detonated.
And you can see the body parts
of three people blown into little pieces.
(SOMBER MUSIC FADES)
(WATER SPLASHING)
(GROANS)
(RADIO BEEPS)
SOLDIER: (IN PASHTO, OVER RADIO)
Ebad, can you hear me?
EBAD: I can hear you.
SOLDIER: The Commander is heading inside.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: The Commander and I
were having a discussion,
and now it's time to make a decision.
We've reduced the training
from three months to twelve days.
Once they completed training,
you can give them weapons.
SENIOR SOLDIER: But Commander,
there's still an issue with the ammunition
It hasn't arrived.
You are the senior leader.
Be as creative as you can in this work.
These men are your support.
Make it happen.
SENIOR SOLDIER:
I just wanted to get your permission.
Done, now you have my order
to move forward.
Must I go around and find everyone
M16 ammunition?
How many bases are here in Lashkar Gah?
This effort will change
the destiny of this region.
It is a very important process.
If you think this is not worth the effort,
you are wrong.
It needs effort, patience, money,
and good leadership.
This is our job and our responsibility.
If not, then what is our job?
-Huh?
-SENIOR SOLDIER: Yeah.
(SIGHS)
(FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING)
This will lead to good results.
Should we leave now, sir?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT:
Freedom fighters, have strength.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
The last couple of months
have taken a toll on me psychologically.
(SIGHS)
With the US gone,
I'm feeling more pressure
on how to hold our country together.
I can see that the Afghan forces feel
that they're abandoned
in the middle of this vicious war.
And it is affecting their moral.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: As the General,
continuing to send men into the battle
without knowing their fate wears on me.
(CUTLERY CLATTERING)
GENERAL SADAT:
I can't let those feelings settle,
and I'm afraid that one day
everything will come back to me.
(FOREBODING MUSIC CONCLUDES)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ARABIC)
Hello father.
SADAT'S FATHER: (OVER PHONE)
Hello my son.
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
How are you? How is everyone at home?
How's my son, my siblings, and mom?
SADAT'S FATHER:
Everyone is fine, everything is good.
Thank God.
SADAT'S FATHER: I really miss you.
(CHUCKLES)
I miss you too, father.
(REMARKS IN PASHTO)
SADAT'S FATHER: How is the heat there?
Are you in Lashkar Gah?
GENERAL SADAT:
Yes, father. I am in Lashkar Gah.
SADAT'S FATHER: Oh.
GENERAL SADAT: Oh.
SADAT'S FATHER:
Did I see on TV that Lashkar Gah is safe?
GENERAL SADAT: Yes, Lashkar Gah is secure.
SADAT'S FATHER: Yeah, but the media
said civilians are being killed.
Media can say anything, father.
They're doing their job, we're doing ours.
(GUNSHOTS FIRING IN DISTANCE)
(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
GENERAL SADAT: If we don't get support,
our forces in Marjah might surrender,
giving lots of equipment
and ammunition to the enemy,
which will be a big shame.
Sir, I urge you to get your men
to do their job.
If they want to rest now or go to Kabul,
it's totally up to them.
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
GENERAL SADAT: Yes, Lutfullah Khan?
Hey, how are you doing?
(MURMURING)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
The situation is getting worse.
What do we do?
This situation will not get any better.
(REMARKS IN PASHTO)
They are right over there.
(REMARKS IN PASHTO)
If we keep fighting for months,
we are going to lose 2,000, not 200.
Well, then I hope we all die.
Once they enter the city,
getting them out will be very hard.
Yes, no one will be able to do it then.
If the situation stays the same,
it'll be impossible to take the city back.
A lot of civilians will die.
GENERAL SADAT: So, what's going on guys?
Please remain seated.
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(CAR HORN HONKING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
FEMALE AFGHAN REPORTER:
All Afghans are very worried.
A lot of people are applying for visas
to leave the country
fearful the Taliban will gain control.
In the last day,
nine districts in Badakhshan,
two districts in Takhar,
and two districts in Kandahar
have fallen under Taliban control.
In the past two months, dozens
of districts have fallen to the Taliban
and they have seized
hundreds of military vehicles.
(NEWS ANCHOR CONTINUES SPEAKING)
Dear Commander, listen to me.
You are indeed of a higher rank than me.
But what happens if all these places fall?
We need airplanes to protect them.
We do have airplanes. We have everything.
(EXCLAIMS LIGHTHEARTEDLY)
KHALID:
There are no tanks, no vehicles, nothing.
GENERAL SADAT: Don't worry about it.
KHALID: This worries me.
GENERAL SADAT: No, don't worry.
KHALID: Look at Sultan Khel's base.
They surrendered yesterday.
GENERAL SADAT:
Don't show me these things, Khalid.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER PHONE)
KHALID: Watch this.
GENERAL SADAT: Don't show it to me,
Khalid. It's upsetting.
(TALIBAN SOLDIERS SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(GUNSHOT OVER PHONE)
KHALID: There is a lot of shooting.
GENERAL SADAT: I don't want to see it.
(SMACKS LIPS)
You showed me that video,
and I hurt my lip.
I told you many times
not to show that to me.
Dear Khalid, what else shall I do?
(CHUCKLES)
There are many issues
and too many problems.
We have to address people's concerns.
Did you know that all shops
in the city are closed?
You may not find food tomorrow.
You may not find anything at all.
We'll do something else. OK?
Tomorrow, we should go
inspect the frontlines.
KHALID: Brother, you need to avoid
public exposure.
GENERAL SADAT: This is not fighting.
We're to blame because we don't fight.
We sit here as if we're taking a dump.
We'll go to the front lines
ourselves tomorrow.
(CAR HORN HONKING)
GENERAL SADAT: Selab. Do you hear me?
SELAB: (OVER RADIO)
Don't stop. We made it and you can too.
GENERAL SADAT: He's an idiot.
What does he mean "we made it"?
Keep going.
(HUMVEE RUMBLING)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
There is a lot of shooting.
Go further.
-(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN PASHTO)
The tanks should stop, correct?
SELAB: Yes, correct.
(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
(BREATHES HEAVILY, MUTTERS ANXIOUSLY)
(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)
GENERAL SADAT: I will go out first
and my guards should follow.
(IN ENGLISH) We got shooting on the left.
(SOLDIERS YELLING IN PASHTO)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
Make sure you cover yourself
behind the tanks or the walls.
All right. Let's go down.
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
(IN PASHTO) This way, Commander.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
GENERAL SADAT: What are you waiting for?
Why are you hiding?
I've ordered our men to attack
the areas they're firing from.
They are shooting from this side as well,
where some of our soldiers are.
SOLDIER 1: General, please get inside.
Send a few tanks over there.
I was going to send tanks.
SOLDIER 2: Which direction?
Shooting from both directions.
Shooting from the right and the back.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)
SOLDIER 3: The enemy is hiding
in these houses and firing from there.
GENERAL SADAT:
I already sent eight tanks over there.
We were instructed to move over here.
We're stuck here because of the bridge.
Once the bridge is fixed, we can go.
GENERAL SADAT: The problem is that
the Taliban are closing in on you.
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
-(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
-(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)
(SOLDIERS SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(GUN FIRING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(HELICOPTER WHIRRING)
-(SOMBER MUSIC FADES)
-(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
GENERAL SADAT: Let's start the ceremony.
Stand to the left and the right.
SOLDIER 1: Ten martyrs, right?
SOLDIER 2: Yes, ten.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SOLDIER 3: Salute, respect to the martyr.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SHOUTS ORDERS IN PASHTO)
(SOLDIER SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
IMAM: (IN ARABIC) In the name of God,
the most gracious and merciful.
Pardon them, honor them,
and expand their entrance.
God, make their graves
a garden of paradise.
We come from God, and we return to God.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR IN DISTANCE)
(INDISTINCT YELLING)
(MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
SOLDIER: (IN PASHTO) There's no room.
We have to shut the door.
Take this to Kabul for our injured men.
Shut the door.
SOLDIER: We have to close the door.
Let me in, let me in.
That's it, go away.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(EXPLOSIONS IN DISTANCE)
-(MUSIC FADES)
SOLDIER: (OVER PHONE)
Commander, we got intel
that the helicopters never landed.
They flew past Helmand
towards Kandahar.
Even though I told them
you had ordered them to stay here.
GENERAL SADAT: Sir, I got the news
and wanted to say goodbye to all of you.
When my battalion falls,
you and the Army Chief of Staff
are responsible.
I will say this to the president
in the morning.
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
GENERAL SADAT: Hello, Minister.
Hope you're having a good evening.
I have a problem.
In the mornings,
my equipment requests are approved.
But by the evening, they're all canceled
and I'm left with nothing.
-(GUNFIRE IN DISTANCE)
-(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY)
I will sacrifice myself and my blood.
But when I'm attacked,
I can't be fighting
with the administration
and the Taliban at the same time.
If this is how it's going to go,
then I can't do this job.
I can't take this anymore, I'm exhausted.
I'm over this.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
-(RADIO BEEPS)
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
It's crazy that the Taliban
are able to fight
right outside the Governor's house.
They shoot at the Governor's house
as they wish.
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
Alright, get in, guys.
(GUNFIRE CONTINUES)
GENERAL SADAT: Four, one,
Romeo, Papa, Quebec.
Two-six-eight-nine-five-dash,
nine-six-one-zero-zero,
how do you copy?
Eagle, Shikar?
Eagle, Eagle, Shikar?
How do you copy?
-(GUNSHOTS)
-GENERAL SADAT: Oh.
Guys, get down.
Get down, get down.
(IN PASHTO)
They have snipers shooting at us.
Get down.
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC SWELLS)
(REPORTER 1 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 2: (IN ENGLISH) Taliban
has been making rapid territory gains.
(REPORTER 3 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 4: (IN ENGLISH) The situation
is particularly bad in Lashkar Gah.
REPORTER 5: Hundreds
of civilians have been killed.
(REPORTER 6 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 7: (IN ENGLISH)
It's incredibly hard to get information
in and out of the city.
(REPORTER 8 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 9: (IN ENGLISH)
Afghanistan is in a real danger
of falling to the Taliban.
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(GUNSHOTS FIRING)
-(CROWD SCREAMING)
-(YELLING IN PASHTO)
REPORTER 1: (IN ENGLISH) The world
has been watching heartbreaking scenes
coming from Afghanistan.
REPORTER 2:
...Afghanistan as Taliban fighters
entered the capital city of Kabul
and then effectively took control
of the country.
(REPORTER 3 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 4: (IN ENGLISH)
Foreign nations are now scrambling
to get their citizens out, and the Afghans
who worked with them.
(REPORTER 5 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 6: (IN ENGLISH)
President Biden is now sending
3,000 troops back into Afghanistan
to evacuate citizens.
(REPORTER 7 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 8: (IN ENGLISH)
As the clock ticks by for thousands
to escape the Taliban rule,
the window of escape closes in seven days.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC FADES)
HIBATULLAH: (IN PASHTO)
Say God is great.
CROWD: (IN ARABIC)
God is great.
-(HIBATULLAH REPEATS CHANT IN PASHTO)
-(CROWD CHANTS IN RESPONSE)
-(HIBATULLAH CHANTING IN PASHTO)
-(CROWD CHANTING IN ARABIC)
Supreme leader
of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
-CROWD: Long live.
-HIBATULLAH: Supreme leader.
(CROWD CHANTS IN ARABIC)
SHEIKH: (IN PASHTO) Dear noble scholars.
These Americans came here
and dishonored our sisters and brothers
for the past 20 years.
Did they not invade our homeland?
Did they not attack
our thoughts and beliefs?
Those elements trained by the Jews
should not be forgiven.
Trained in America. Trained in Europe.
Did they not impose themselves
on Afghans by force?
And in what ways have they fulfilled
the dreams of Afghans?
-(MALE VOICE CHANTING IN PASHTO)
-(CROWD CHANTING IN ARABIC)
We have faith in God.
We have God.
We have law.
We have history.
The West doesn't have any real history.
We don't want anyone
to influence the Afghan people.
We want freedom.
We want the leadership of Islam.
And we want to represent our people.
(SHEIKH SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
GENERAL SADAT: (IN ENGLISH)
Our country is everything we have.
A place to live and the reason to fight.
And we lost that.
The fall of the government was very quick
and shocking in many ways.
At the end of the battle for Helmand,
President Ashraf Ghani asked me
to become head
of all Afghan special operations.
When I arrived,
President Ghani then put me
in charge of all security in Kabul.
Then I got a call that President Ghani
had fled the country.
The news of the president spread quickly
and command centers and the polices lines
started falling apart.
I went to the US forces headquarter
and asked a general to help me
defend the city of Kabul.
But he said,
"You don't have a government, Sami,
"and we cannot support you anymore."
We didn't have the means to fight.
My job became getting
every essential personnel
under my command to safety.
I flew some of my men to Ukraine,
some to the US,
and evacuated my family
to another country.
I was sentenced to death
by hanging from the Taliban.
The US refused to help me,
so I was forced to flee
to the United Kingdom.
It was the hardest decision of my life
to leave Afghanistan.
I left my soul and I feel like I'm walking
in an empty vessel.
(MAN SPEAKING IN PASHTO OVER SPEAKER)
MALE ANNOUNCER: (IN ENGLISH, OVER SPEAKER)
Attention, if you are a US citizen
or a lawful permanent resident
of the United States
or have a US visa
inside your Afghan passport,
please approach the embassy.
We ask that everyone else please leave
and seek safety elsewhere.
(NERVOUS CHATTER)
(CROWD CLAMORING)
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
(DISCUSSING IN PASHTO)
CIVILIAN: (IN ENGLISH) Why not...
Why do you not opening the door? Why? Why?
(CLAMOR CONTINUES)
(PROTESTING IN PASHTO)
(CLAMOR STOPS)
US SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH, OVER SPEAKER)
There's probably about 6,000 people
waiting to get on like five aircraft.
And I'd rather have them stuck in an area
where they have established networks
and safe houses than send them
to another Taliban stronghold.
MATTHEW: We're all acknowledging
that is the real threat.
We just found out about 15 minutes ago
that one of our guys was just dragged
out of his home and executed.
-So, it...
-US SOLDIER 1: Son of a bitch.
Right. With... With, you know,
his family there present.
Uh, horrible, horrible situation, so...
We're still focusing on interpreters
that have worked with us.
They are top-tier, high-priority personnel
that are also HVIs for Taliban to kill.
I can tell you, personally,
I'm not leaving
until I get my guys' families
out of Afghanistan, so...
-MATTHEW: Yeah.
-US SOLDIER 1: I'll stay here
-until the job's done.
-MATTHEW: Okay.
Uh, we're all unofficially, officially
doing this, I think, at this point.
We've crossed out the...
Uh, we might as well get serious
and real about it
and at least organize our information
and communication flow.
Obviously, we got talented people
on all sides of the Zoom call right now.
US SOLDIER 2: Um, the process
for this goes as follows...
GENERAL SADAT: (OVER PHONE)
This is Sami, brother, how you doing?
We got a whole network of active
and retired Green Berets
that, uh, know Afghanistan,
and I'm trying to just move people
to safety right now.
All right. Thank you very much
for everything you're doing
to help the people trapped inside.
SOLDIER 1: (IN PASHTO, OVER PHONE)
Please accept my regards,
Commander, hope you're well.
GENERAL SADAT:
The shock is starting to wear off.
I'm trying hard to not let it
affect me too deeply.
SOLDIER 2: (OVER PHONE) Commander,
what are we going to do
about our families?
GENERAL SADAT:
We're trying to get them out.
I will try my absolute best.
I've arranged something in Tajikistan.
It's close and we can
evacuate people there.
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-US SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH) How many?
-(MALE VOICE RESPONDS IN PASHTO)
(IN ENGLISH) Four?
Get... Get your family together.
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
US SOLDIER 1: (IN ENGLISH) Come on,
buddy, let's go. It's okay. Come on.
Here we go, my man. It's all right.
It's okay. Come on, it's all right.
Come here. Come on. Come with me.
Let's go. It's okay. Come on.
Here you go, lads.
Give me that one. Careful, careful,
careful. Come here, sweetie. Come here.
-Come here, little one. (CHUCKLES)
-Oh, hello there.
-Hello. Hello.
-SOLDIER 2: Hello.
Hello.
-Is she lost?
-No, no, no. She's mine. I got her.
-(COMFORTING IN PASHTO)
-(CRIES)
(SPEAKING IN PASHTO)
(IN ENGLISH) Who's that? Who's that?
That's her brother.
No.
No, get back.
-Listen, that's it.
-Hey, hey.
That's it we're done. That's it.
(IN PASHTO)
They won't let your brother go.
(IN ENGLISH) I'm sorry, you can't.
You've got one passport
for eight children.
-You didn't say about him a minute ago.
-We didn't know.
I'm sorry. We can't take him.
He's an adult.
I'm sorry, we can't help him.
BRITISH SOLDIER 1: Wait. Wait.
Get down. Get down.
Get down.
I was an interpreter,
I supported your mission.
My brother's dead.
I beg you, please.
Give me a chance, please.
-US SOLDIER 3: Get back right now.
-Please, sir.
-US SOLDIER 3: Get back. Get back.
-Help me, please.
-We're in danger, please.
-US SOLDIER 3: Get back now.
-Help me, please. Please.
-US SOLDIER 3: Get back now. Get back
(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-BRITISH SOLDIER 2: Fuck off.
-BRITISH SOLDIER 3: Get the fuck off.
My family!
(REPORTER 1 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 2: (IN ENGLISH)
Desperation grows as the clock ticks down.
(REPORTER 3 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 4: (IN ENGLISH) The US
has been warning of potential attack
for several days now.
(REPORTER 5 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 6: (IN ENGLISH) Nearby,
Taliban fighters watch over the crowd.
(REPORTER 7 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 8: (IN ENGLISH)
The humanitarian situation
remains catastrophic.
(REPORTER 9 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 10: (IN ENGLISH)
At least 18,000 Afghans
have waited months or years for a Visa.
REPORTER 11: The big question is
what will happen
to those who are left behind?
(REPORTER 12 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
-(INDISTINCT CLAMOR)
-(IN ENGLISH) US passport.
No, that's not a passport.
It's a piece of paper.
-No.
-No.
No, it doesn't work.
I got approval.
But nobody is helping us now.
Nothing is gonna work for us.
This is the approval I got
from the US Embassy.
(IN PASHTO) Sir, we'll give $5,000
to each pilot who agrees to go.
We'll pay for each flight.
One flight, two flights,
however many flights they can do.
We also promise to transfer
their families to the United States.
SOLDIER: (OVER PHONE) Last night,
during the Taliban attack on Panjshir,
many people were killed.
SADAT'S FRIEND: (OVER PHONE) Man, I think
we've lost all hope for Afghanistan.
Will we ever go back?
I know the situation is a mess.
But you are not alone
I am always there for you, my friend.
(AIRPLANE ENGINE REVVING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
US SOLDIER: (IN ENGLISH, OVER SPEAKER)
Everybody should be facing the front.
Line up on a strap. No circles,
facing the front.
There should be no space between you
and the person in front of you.
(INAUDIBLE)
REPORTER 1: The Taliban resurgence
is raising fears that women's right
could be all but eliminated
in Afghanistan.
(REPORTER 2 SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
REPORTER 3: (IN ENGLISH)
The country is in economic free-fall
with over 90 percent
of households going hungry.
(OVERLAPPING NEWS BROADCASTS
CONTINUE INDISTINCTLY)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)