Recent closed-door testimonies from three top State Department officials have shed light on the chaotic and unprecedented situation during the final days of the US presence in Afghanistan. The officials, John Bass, Jim DeHart, and Jayne Howell, were urgently sent to Afghanistan with minimal preparation and no established emergency evacuation plan upon their arrival.
The transcripts of their interviews with the House Foreign Affairs Committee reveal the challenges faced during the 2021 evacuation, which resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members. The ongoing investigation by Republican Chairman Michael McCaul aims to provide insights into the decision-making process and actions taken during the evacuation.
Gen. Mark Milley, the former Joint Chiefs chairman, expressed that the decision to initiate a noncombatant evacuation operation (NEO) came too late, contributing to the chaotic situation outside the Kabul airport. Despite the challenges, the State Department defended its decision to end the 20-year war in Afghanistan, emphasizing the need to address current and future foreign policy challenges.
The officials highlighted the ad-hoc nature of the evacuation efforts, with constantly changing circumstances on the ground requiring them to adapt quickly. They described the difficulty of creating operational systems on the fly to facilitate the evacuation of US citizens, Afghan allies, and international partners.
While planning for a NEO reportedly began months earlier, the officials who arrived in August found themselves navigating a rapidly evolving and dangerous environment at the Kabul airport. The Taliban's presence and control over security perimeters added to the complexity of the evacuation process.
Despite facing setbacks and challenges, the officials worked closely with the US military to coordinate evacuation efforts and ensure the safety of those attempting to reach the airport. The testimonies underscore the immense coordination and cooperation between State Department officials and service members on the ground.
As the investigation continues and a report is expected to be released later this year, the testimonies provide valuable insights into the complexities and challenges encountered during the final days of the US presence in Afghanistan.
