A year on, ex-Afghan leader defends role in Taliban takeover


              FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2021, file photo, Taliban fighters take control of the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. On the eve of the anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Kabul, Afghanistan's former president on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, defended what he said was a split-second decision to flee, saying he wanted to avoid the humiliation of surrender to the insurgents. (AP Photo/Zabi Karimi, File)
            
              FILE - Passengers walk to the departures terminal of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, past a mural of President Ashraf Ghani, as the Taliban offensive encircled the capital. On the eve of the anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Kabul, Afghanistan's former president on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, defended what he said was a split-second decision to flee, saying he wanted to avoid the humiliation of surrender to the insurgents. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)