KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — A new report from the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee sharply criticizes the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
The Republican-led report accuses President Biden and his administration of misleading the public and mishandling the chaotic evacuation process. Committee Chairman Michael McCaul alleges that the administration ignored warnings from military officials, national security advisors, and U.S. allies about the risks of a complete withdrawal.
The report asserts that the administration did not start evacuating noncombatants until August 16, by which time the Taliban had already taken control of Kabul as the Western-backed Afghan government collapsed. It cites communication failures and mishandled paperwork as contributing to the chaotic evacuation, which culminated in a suicide bombing at Kabul airport on August 26, 2021, killing 13 U.S. service members and over 100 Afghans.
McCaul criticized the State Department’s actions, claiming, “This was one of the deadliest days in Afghanistan. It could have been prevented if the State Department did its job by law and executed the plan of evacuation.”
The report suggests that Biden prioritized his legacy over national security, with Vice President Kamala Harris allegedly supporting the decision to withdraw all U.S. troops. It points to overly optimistic statements from government spokespeople as the Taliban consolidated control.
The report indicates that the handling of the withdrawal severely damaged America’s credibility on the world stage and left a lasting moral injury on U.S. veterans and active service members.
The report also examines the role of former Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad, accusing him of undermining the Afghan government by excluding it from the Doha negotiations with the Taliban.
Senior military officials have claimed that Khalilzad failed to consult with the U.S. military during negotiations with the Taliban, leaving them “in the dark” about the specifics of the agreement.
In response, Khalilzad denied these claims on X (formerly Twitter), stating that military leaders were involved and informed. He also rejected allegations that the Afghan government was sidelined during the negotiations, asserting that the Doha agreement facilitated “historic negotiations” between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
The committee’s findings come as the first presidential debate approaches, with the report likely to influence the upcoming November 2024 election.
The White House has criticized the report as biased and misleading, attributing the difficult situation to the Trump administration’s Doha Agreement and defending Biden’s decision to end the war.
The report’s release includes recommendations to improve crisis management and evacuation planning, though it also highlights significant issues, including inadequate preparation and chaotic decision-making during the withdrawal.
The ongoing investigation has prompted calls for further testimony from key figures, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Critics, including Democrats, argue that the report is politically motivated, aiming to influence election outcomes rather than provide an objective account of the withdrawal.
