Withdrawal impacts US embassy staff in Afghanistan

As the end to America's "forever war" rapidly approaches, the US Embassy and other diplomatic missions in Kabul are looking at a worsening security situation and how to respond.

Long before the last US and NATO troops packed up to leave Afghanistan, American diplomats arriving in the capital were taken to the heavily fortified embassy by helicopter.

The short four-mile road trip through the city's  chaotic traffic was considered too dangerous.

Suicide bombers struck along the road outside with uncomfortable frequency.

Hidden deep inside Kabul's so-called Green Zone, the compound itself is protected by 10-foot blast walls, heavily armed US marines, explosive - sniffing dogs and cameras at every corner.

An embassy spokesperson told The Associated Press that security assessments are frequent these days.

In the countryside, districts are falling to the Taliban in rapid succession.

America's warlord allies are re-arming their militias, who have a violent history, raising the specter of another civil war once the US withdrawal is finished, expected in August.

Speaking on condition of anonymity in line with briefing rules, the spokesperson said the embassy is currently down to 1,400 US citizens and about 4,000 staff in total working inside the compound, which is the size of a small town.

The only route out of Kabul is the Hamid Karzai International Airport, currently protected by troops from Turkey and the United States.

Before America can declare its war over the security of the airport will have to be settled.

Turkey is in talks with US, United Nations and the Afghan government to decide who will protect the airport and who will foot the bill.

In the Afghan capital, it's common to hear speculation about when and if the US Embassy will evacuate and shut down, with images resurrected of America's last days in Saigon at the end of the Vietnam war.

Citing security concerns, the spokesperson said she couldn't reveal evacuation plans, or even if that's a part of today's conversation, but she said the embassy has detailed plans for every scenario to protect its staff.

The Taliban have issued statements saying they are not looking for a military takeover of Kabul.

Washington has issued repeatedly warned that a military move on the capital would return the religious movement to pariah status, denying it international recognition and assistance.