Report Highlights Failures in US Crisis Management during Afghanistan Withdrawal

Report: Deficiencies in US Crisis Management in Afghanistan

Washington - The US government made mistakes in its crisis management before and during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. This is revealed in an investigative report by the US Department of State, which the agency released in parts. The decisions of both US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump to withdraw the military "posed significant challenges" to the Department of State. Reasons cited include gaps in the staffing of leadership positions on the ground and personnel shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, there was insufficient consideration at the highest level of worst-case scenarios. It was also not taken into account how quickly they could occur.

With regard to future crises, the report's recommendations state that it is necessary to ensure that a broad spectrum of opinions is heard. Even those voices that question political decisions must be listened to.

Last US troops left Afghanistan in 2021

Foreign troops, led by the US, invaded Afghanistan in 2001 in response to the terrorist attacks by Al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001. The international intervention at that time led to the overthrow of the Taliban government, which had provided shelter to Al-Qaeda terrorists. The military operation consumed enormous resources, and tens of thousands of civilians and Afghan security forces lost their lives, as did several thousand international soldiers, including 2,461 Americans.

In late August 2021, the last US troops finally left Afghanistan, marking the end of the international military intervention in the country after nearly 20 years, just as the Taliban had recently regained power in Kabul. The American-initiated troop withdrawal was chaotic and drew criticism and disbelief from the international community.