SECDEF orders Pentagon to launch review into 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has directed the Pentagon to launch a comprehensive review into the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. This decision comes in the wake of scrutiny faced by then-President Joe Biden after the Taliban quickly took over Afghanistan following the withdrawal, resulting in the deaths of more than a dozen U.S. service members during evacuation efforts.
Thirteen U.S. service members lost their lives due to a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport, as the Taliban seized control of Kabul. In response to these events, Hegseth emphasized the importance of getting to the facts surrounding the withdrawal operation to regain trust with the American people and honor the sacrifices made by the warfighters in Afghanistan.
The Pentagon has already completed a review into the withdrawal and determined that a full investigation is necessary to provide a complete picture of the events and hold those responsible accountable. As a result, Hegseth has tasked Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell with leading a special review panel to evaluate previous investigations and analyze the decision-making processes that led to the withdrawal.
The aim of this special review panel is to ensure accountability to the American people and the warfighters of the nation. The investigation will delve into the circumstances surrounding the catastrophic events of the withdrawal, including the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate that claimed the lives of U.S. service members and Afghan civilians.
In 2023, the Biden administration released a report evaluating the Afghanistan withdrawal, stating that top intelligence officials did not accurately assess the speed at which the Taliban would retake control of Kabul. Additionally, the House Foreign Affairs Committee conducted its own investigation, highlighting the failure to plan for contingencies and establish evacuation plans, which contributed to the unsafe environment at the airport.
Former President Donald Trump previously expressed his dissatisfaction with the handling of the withdrawal and stated that he would have fired military leaders overseeing the operation. Retired Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., who was the commander of U.S. Central Command at the time, took full responsibility for the loss of U.S. troops during the withdrawal.
Retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also acknowledged failures in the withdrawal process and emphasized the complex nature of the situation in Afghanistan. Both military leaders advised Biden to keep some U.S. troops in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of most forces.
The comprehensive review initiated by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth aims to shed light on the events surrounding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and ensure accountability for the decisions made during that time. This investigation will play a crucial role in understanding the circumstances that led to one of the darkest moments in U.S. military operations and honoring the sacrifices of those who served in Afghanistan.
