Anderson Cooper 360

The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Admn. Peter Vasely, is leading the effort to negotiate with his Taliban counterpart to maintain security at the Kabul airport and ensure the safety of both Americans and Afghans hoping to escape. Ryan Crocker is a former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Syria. He tells Anderson Cooper he thinks the Admiral is “doing the right thing.” Plus, Miami-Dade County, Florida’s largest school district, voted 7-1 in favor of a mask mandate, in defiance of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order that blocks mask mandates in schools. Alberto Carvalho is the superintendent of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He joins AC360 to explain why he thinks he’s doing the right thing and says he will wear the consequences of his decision as a “badge of honor.”

Airdate: August 19, 2021

Guests:

Amb. Ryan Crocker

Alberto Carvalho

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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told reporters the situation in Afghanistan “is still very dangerous, very dynamic and very fluid” and said U.S. troops are “at risk.” CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward joins AC360 from Kabul to describe the chaos she’s been seeing as people have been rushing to the airport in an effort to flee and countries are racing to evacuate their citizens. Plus, Covid-19 vaccine booster shots will be offered in the U.S. beginning September 20, pending FDA authorization. Dr. Francis Collins is the director of the National Institutes of Health. He tells Anderson Cooper “when you try to balance benefits and risk,” getting a booster shot seems like “the wisest thing.”

Airdate: August 18, 2021

Guests:

Clarissa Ward

Dr. Francis Collins

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive for Covid-19, despite being fully vaccinated. The Republican has opposed mask mandates and issued an executive order banning school districts from requiring masks. Dr. Peter Hotez is the co-director at the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children’s Hospital. He tells Anderson Cooper school hasn’t started yet and kids are getting sick. Plus, CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward joins AC360 from Kabul Afghanistan to describe the fear women now have that the Taliban have taken over saying they seem to “have largely melted away.”

Airdate: August 17, 2021

Guests:

Dr. Peter Hotez

Clarissa Ward

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During an address to the nation, President Biden admitted the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban retaking control happened more quickly than the U.S. government had expected. Biden said he stands “squarely behind my decision.” Thomas Friedman is a foreign affairs columnist for The New York Times. He tells Anderson Cooper the President “certainly made clear they had made mistakes and they weren’t prepared.” Plus, CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward takes AC360 to Kabul to give an update on the evacuation of Afghan allies from the capital city. She says many Afghans she’s met are in a “state of shock” and “struggling to process the last 24 hours.”

Airdate: August 16, 2021

Guests:

Thomas Friedman

Clarissa Ward

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Vaccine advisers to the CDC voted unanimously to recommend an extra dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for some immunocompromised people. The FDA had already authorized a third dose in certain patients who are likely to have had a poor response to two doses of either Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccine. Dr. Peter Hotez is the co-director for the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children’s Hospital. He joins AC360 to discuss the CDC’s recommendation. Plus, John Cohen, the Homeland Security Intelligence chief told CNN online extremist rhetoric is strikingly similar to the buildup to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger is a member of the bipartisan House select committee that’s investigating the insurrection. He tells Anderson Cooper conspiracy theories and false narratives can grow into action and “it’s a real concern.”

Airdate: Friday August 13, 2021

Guests:

Dr. Peter Hotez

Rep. Adam Kinzinger

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More than 98% of U.S. residents now live in an area with a “high” or “substantial” risk of Covid-19 community transmission, up from 19% just a month ago. Meanwhile, the FDA is expecting to authorize coronavirus vaccine booster shots for some immunocompromised people. Dr. Anthony Fauci is the director for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He joins AC360 to discuss the recent surge in cases and the anticipated authorization of booster shots. Plus, there are only 368 ICU beds currently available in Texas as the state faces another rise in hospitalization. Gov. Greg Abbott announced that more than 2,500 medical personnel will be deployed to hospitals around the state to help care for the increasing number of Covid-19 patients despite defying science and having issued an executive order prohibiting state governmental entities from requiring mask wearing. Beto O’Rourke is a former U.S. Congressman from Texas and he tells Anderson Cooper “this is a crisis and we need the governor to treat it as such.”

Airdate: August 12, 2021

Guests:

Dr. Anthony Fauci

Beto O’Rourke

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