How many Americans are still in Afghanistan? State Department number is 'way off,' GOP lawmaker says

WASHINGTON – When the last American troops left Afghanistan Aug. 31, State Department officials said that 100 to 200 Americans remained in the country and vowed to get them out.

Since then, the U.S. government has helped at least 234 Americans leave Afghanistan, according to the State Department's latest tally. Separately, U.S. veterans and other private groups have evacuated at least 32 U.S. citizens – and probably many more. 

Yet the State Department's chief spokesman, Ned Price, said Friday that 100 to 200 Americans were still in the country and trying to leave – the same range he cited nearly two months ago.

On Monday, Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's undersecretary of defense for policy, gave lawmakers far more specific response when testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Kahl said the State Department was in contact with 196 Americans who were ready to depart. Another 243 U.S. citizens have been contacted but were not ready to depart, Kahl said.

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