Biden's approval plummets.

I’m Isaac Saul, and this is Tangle: an independent, ad-free, subscriber-supported politics newsletter that summarizes the best arguments from across the political spectrum — then “my take.”

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Today’s read: 11 minutes.

We’re covering Biden’s approval ratings, plus a question about who is really “in control.”

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Shanah tovah.

Happy New Year to all my Jewish readers out there! Rosh Hashanah, or the “head of the year” in Hebrew, began last night and runs until sundown tomorrow. For Jews, this time of year ushers in a couple of weeks of repentance and reflection that end with the much more somber and holy day of Yom Kippur. For now, you can wish people “happy new year,” say “Shanah Tovah” or “chag sameach” (which literally translates to “happy festival”). I’ll be celebrating tonight with a fish dinner and some apples and honey. May it be a sweet, joyful year! 

Quick hits.

1. The Taliban has been preventing at least four planes from departing Kabul that have several hundred people aboard seeking to escape. Yesterday, the group also said it had taken control of the Panjshir Valley, the last pocket of resistance in Afghanistan. (The takeover)

2. Six Palestinian prisoners escaped one of Israel’s most secure prisons by digging a tunnel through the floor and out beyond the prison’s wall. They are still at large as a manhunt is underway. (The escape)

3. The death toll from Hurricane Ida rose to 60 over the holiday weekend, with more than half of the victims coming from the northeast. (The toll)

4. The U.S. added just 235,000 new jobs last month, falling well short of economists’ predictions and marking a slowdown of the economic recovery. (The bad news)

5. The Justice Department vowed to protect women seeking abortions in Texas after the Supreme Court allowed a new ban after six weeks to go into effect. (The statement)

What D.C. is talking about

Biden’s approval rating. Over the last two weeks, President Joe Biden’s approval rating has taken a nosedive for the first time in his presidency. The latest