As part of a deal between the U.S. and the Taliban that was struck last February, the Taliban agreed to not allow Afghanistan to become a base of operations for terrorist groups and to halt attacks on U.S. personnel. In exchange, the U.S. agreed to drastically reduce its military presence in the country.
While the Taliban has picked up the pace of attacks against Afghan security forces, U.S. officials say there have been few, if any, direct attacks at American personnel.
The deal also called on the Taliban to begin formal peace talks with the U.S.-backed government in Kabul, though the two sides have struggled to get those negotiations underway.
The officer said he knew in that moment that he didn’t have enough ammo to overtake the mob, so he decided to “try to appeal to somebody’s humanity” instead.
“I just remember yelling out that I have kids. And it seemed to work,” the 40-year-old father of four said.
Officer Fanone said a group within the rioters surrounded him until help arrived, saving his life.
“Thank you, but f k you for being there,” he said bitterly.
Officer Fanone said the attackers came with their own weapons and had stolen equipment from police.
“We were getting chemical irritants sprayed,” he said. “They had pipes and different metal objects, batons, some of which I think they had taken from law enforcement personnel. They had been striking us with those.
He’s one of several advisers the Biden team added to its coronavirus team on Friday.
Former Food and Drug Commissioner David Kessler, who served presidents from both parties in 1990-1997, will serve as Mr. Biden’s chief science adviser for the COVID-19 response.
Abbe Gluck, a prominent Yale law professor with government experience in New Jersey and New York City, will serve as general counsel.
The Biden team also added several new policy advisers and communications pros including Ben Wakana, a former spokesman for the Obama Department of Health and Human Services who later served as executive director of the Patients For Affordable Drugs, a nonprofit that pressured lawmakers to drive down the cost of prescription medicines.
Actress and activist Rose McGowan on Thursday blasted the House's impeachment of President Trump as "cult propaganda" meant to distract Americans from the fact that they're getting poorer and sicker.