Here’s what you need to know at the end of the day.
(Want to get this newsletter in your inbox? Here’s the sign-up.) Good evening. Here’s the latest. 1. The United States imposed tough sanctions on Russia, blaming it for the hacking operation that breached U.S. government agencies and the country’s largest companies. President Biden ordered a series of measures including sanctions on 32 entities and individuals for disinformation and interference in the 2020 presidential election. Ten Russian diplomats were expelled from the embassy in Washington. The administration barred American banks from purchasing newly issued Russian government debt. The moves aim to exploit Russia’s weak economy to pressure Moscow to relent in its campaign to disrupt American political life and menace Ukraine. Above, the Russian Central Bank in Moscow. In Moscow, the Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman said a response would be “inevitable” but did not immediately disclose what it would entail. 2. The United States and its allies are planning to deploy a less visible but still potent force in the region to prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a terrorist base. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kabul to signal continued cooperation after President Biden announced the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan by Sept.11. Above, Mr. Blinken, right, at the presidential palace in Kabul with Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar of Afghanistan. Drawing lessons from the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, which allowed the rise of the Islamic State, the Pentagon is discussing with allies where to reposition forces and how to use drones, long-range bombers and spy networks in the new effort. In Pakistan, the U.S. withdrawal is seen as a victory by the country’s powerful military, which has friendly ties with the Taliban. But if Afghanistan descends into bloodshed, Pakistan will feel the burden. Millions of Afghan refugees could cross the border, and if the Taliban return to power, it could embolden extremists in Pakistan who share similar ideologies. 3. Federal health officials implored Americans to get vaccinated against the coronavirus but said little about when the Johnson & Johnson vaccine might be put back into use. “Hopefully we’ll get a decision quite soon, as to whether or not we can get back on track with this very effective vaccine,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, above, said during a House hearing on the government’s pandemic response. Millions of people who are immunocompromised produce few to no antibodies in response to a vaccine or an infection, leaving them susceptible to the coronavirus.
