Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has initiated an investigation into the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, which occurred in August 2021. Hegseth has appointed a team within the Pentagon to conduct a comprehensive review of the events surrounding the withdrawal. He emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation to establish a clear sequence of events and decision-making processes, aiming to restore trust in the Department of Defense.
The 2021 withdrawal, executed under the Biden administration, was marked by significant challenges. A suicide bombing at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghan civilians. In the aftermath, a U.S. drone strike intended to neutralize further threats mistakenly targeted an aid worker and his family, an action initially described by then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, as a “righteous strike.” No senior officials faced direct consequences for these events; however, Marine Colonel Stuart Scheller, who publicly demanded accountability, saw his military career come to an end.
General Milley later characterized the withdrawal as a “logistical success but a strategic failure,” acknowledging the rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban’s swift return to power. The operation also led to the abandonment of approximately $7.1 billion in U.S. military equipment, which subsequently fell into Taliban hands. This included advanced weaponry and biometric devices, the latter reportedly used by the Taliban to identify and target Afghans who had assisted U.S. forces.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee conducted its own investigation, revealing that many promises made to Gold Star families and the American public regarding accountability and transparency remained unfulfilled. Jerry Dunleavy, a senior investigator for the committee, resigned in protest over the perceived lack of commitment to seeking answers about the withdrawal’s failures.
In response to these events, Hegseth has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the facts surrounding the withdrawal. He aims to determine the reasons behind critical decisions, assess the advice provided by military leaders, and evaluate the execution of orders during the operation. Hegseth believes that establishing accountability is essential for rebuilding trust within the Department of Defense and ensuring that similar situations are prevented in the future.
This initiative reflects a broader effort to address the consequences of the Afghanistan withdrawal, including the impact on U.S. credibility, the safety of Afghan allies, and the strategic implications for future military engagements.
