The chaotic and deadly end to the two-decade U.S. presence in Afghanistan was influenced by key failures by both the Trump and Biden administrations, according to an unclassified State Department review published on Friday. The review revealed that senior officials were unprepared for worst-case scenarios and failed to anticipate how quickly the situation could deteriorate. Moreover, key leadership roles lacked authority, and firmly held policy positions did not consider dissenting opinions. The report focused specifically on the State Department’s responsibilities during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan and offered recommendations on how the agency could improve its crisis preparation and response in unstable security environments.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken commissioned this After Action Review in the aftermath of the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, which was completed on August 31, 2021. The review took place over a period of 90 days and involved interviews with over 150 current and former State Department officials at all levels of the organization. It also included a thorough examination of relevant documents and materials. The report noted that the interviews were voluntary, and some of the participants requested anonymity.
Despite the importance of the review’s findings, it was released with minimal attention on a holiday weekend when Congress is not in session and the administration is unlikely to face press inquiries. The publication of the review comes nearly two years after U.S. officials committed to conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan. The mishandling of the withdrawal has been widely criticized and has raised concerns about the U.S. government’s ability to evacuate Americans in times of crisis.
Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the State Department for declassifying only half of the full review, accusing the Biden administration of trying to hide its own responsibility in the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan. Despite evacuating over 120,000 people, including more than 85,000 Afghans, within two weeks, the disorganized efforts led to a rush of people gathering outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport as the evacuation deadline approached. Tragically, a suicide bombing occurred in the midst of this chaos, resulting in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and more than 150 Afghans.
The State Department has faced significant criticism, particularly for leaving behind over 100,000 Afghan allies. The report acknowledged the enormous challenge faced by diplomats in Kabul who had to close the embassy and establish an evacuation plan at the airport. However, the review emphasized that both the Trump and Biden administrations lacked leadership capable of considering worst-case scenarios and the speed at which they could unfold.
The State Department’s failure to adequately process Special Immigrant Visas for those who worked alongside the U.S. military over the past 20 years was also highlighted as a significant shortcoming. This resulted in many eligible individuals being left behind. Additionally, under Taliban leadership, vulnerable Afghans who were involved in women’s rights or pro-democracy efforts face a precarious situation, as the lack of diplomatic services makes it challenging for them to seek entry into the U.S.
The report concludes with recommendations for the State Department to prioritize in order to improve its crisis management capabilities. These recommendations include better planning for worst-case scenarios, enhancing core crisis management capabilities, and fostering an environment where senior officials are exposed to a range of views, including those challenging existing assumptions or questioning key policy decisions.
In response to the review, Under Secretary for Management John Bass stated that the recommendations have already been put into practice and have influenced the U.S. response to ongoing crises in Sudan, Ukraine, and other conflict zones. The review acknowledged the emotional trauma experienced by the interviewed officials and commended them for their dedication and professionalism.
However, the release of the review itself did not gain significant attention, potentially overshadowed by other news stories.
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