Are you aware that the US left behind billions of dollars’ worth of equipment in Afghanistan after withdrawing its troops in 2021? Former President Donald Trump thinks it’s time to get it back.
During his first Cabinet meeting, Trump mentioned that the US had left behind “billions, tens of billions of dollars worth of equipment” including brand new trucks. He believes that the US should retrieve a significant amount of this equipment.
The Cost of Withdrawal
The Taliban seized most of the $7 billion worth of equipment left behind, according to a 2022 Department of Defense report. This equipment includes aircraft, ground vehicles, and other weapons.
Although US troops removed or destroyed much of the major equipment, the condition of the remaining items is unknown.
The Pentagon believes that without maintenance from US contractors, these items would likely fail operationally.
A Withdrawal Marred by Controversy
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 was marked by controversy, with 13 US service members killed in a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, outside of Hamid Karzai International Airport.
The Taliban quickly seized control of Kabul, and the withdrawal has been widely criticized. Trump’s comments come as he faces questions about whether he would fire military leaders who oversaw the withdrawal.
While he said he wouldn’t instruct the Secretary of Defense on what actions to take, he did say that he would “fire every single one of them” if he had the chance.
Accountability and Reflection
Several key leaders involved in the withdrawal are no longer serving in the military.
The commander of US Central Command at the time, Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., has since retired and taken full ownership for the loss of US troops.
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, has also reflected on the withdrawal, saying that he believed the evacuation should have occurred sooner and that multiple factors contributed to failures.
Both leaders advised President Biden to keep some US troops in Afghanistan after pulling most US forces.
What’s Next?
The question remains, how will the US retrieve the equipment left behind in Afghanistan?
The White House has not responded to requests for comment, and more details about the plan to retrieve the equipment are not yet available.
One thing is certain, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan has left a lasting impact, and the debate over what happened and who is responsible will continue.