What Will Happen to The Afghan Embassy In Washington D.C.

Outside the stately Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, D.C., it's hard to tell the republic has fallen. But inside, the staircases are dark, the hallways quiet and the offices empty. Laura Sullivan/NPR 

NPR: In Washington, the last employees at the Afghan Embassy work until the lights go off 

For more than 70 years, the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, D.C., has held down the corner lot in a neighborhood of grand embassies. With its giant black, red and green flag, lush landscaping and stately brick and stone, it's hard to tell the republic has fallen. 

Inside though, it's clear Afghanistan is now a country broken. 

The staircases are dark, the hallways quiet and the offices empty. Except for one, on the top floor. Abdul Hadi Nejrabi, the deputy ambassador, is the highest ranking official here. A new ambassador was supposed to come this summer, but then Kabul fell to the Taliban. 

"We continue to operate here at the embassy," he says from his office overlooking a large, manicured garden. "We have to continue. We don't have any other options."  

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WNU Editor:The future of this embassy is predictable. Once the money runs out the utilities will be cut. After that the staff who are working for free will leave. After that the building will be boarded up and its future determined a few years later.