Stranded Abroad as Iran Retaliation Exposes Evacuation Gaps

In the wake of Iran's drone attacks following a U.S.-Israel air campaign, thousands of Americans are stranded in the Middle East as advisories, embassy operations, and evacuation plans become chaotic; Democrats and current/former diplomats blame the administration for inadequate planning and staffing cuts, while the State Department and Defense Department coordinate flights to pull citizens out amid airspace closures and embassy attacks; roughly 6,500 Americans have been assisted, and six American service members have been killed with no civilian casualty reports.