A detailed and critical report from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released Sunday, paints a harsh picture of President Joe Biden’s handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The report, compiled over more than two years, alleges that Biden was single-mindedly focused on ending the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, ignoring warnings and advice from multiple quarters.
The 350-page document accuses Biden of dismissing the Afghan government’s appeals for continued support and overlooking concerns from U.S. allies. It suggests that Biden’s actions were driven more by political motivations and a desire to shape his legacy than by genuine national security considerations.
According to the report, Biden’s administration misled the American public to garner support for a swift exit from the conflict, despite a previously negotiated agreement—known as the Doha Agreement—between the Taliban and the Trump administration in 2020.
This agreement required the Taliban to meet specific conditions, such as cutting ties with terrorist organizations and reducing violence. However, the report claims Biden’s team largely ignored these conditions, pushing ahead with the withdrawal regardless.
On February 4, 2021, State Department spokesperson Ned Price announced a review of the Taliban’s compliance with the Doha Agreement. Yet, the report reveals that Price later testified that adherence to the agreement was considered “immaterial” to the administration’s withdrawal plans.
The report also highlights that Biden ignored the advice of top military officials, including the Secretary of Défense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who were opposed to a full withdrawal. Furthermore, it criticizes the administration for neglecting international concerns and the pleas of Afghan officials who requested more time to stabilize their country.
One significant criticism is the failure to prepare adequately for a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO), which was only ordered on August 16, 2021, a day after Kabul fell to the Taliban. This delay, the report suggests, had severe consequences for U.S. personnel and allies on the ground.
Vice President Kamala Harris is briefly mentioned in the report, noting her involvement in the final decision to withdraw, but her role is not extensively detailed. The timing of the report’s release has also drawn criticism, with some suggesting it may be politically motivated given Harris’ upcoming debate with Donald Trump. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, defended the timing, citing the prolonged investigation process.
The report also critiques the Trump administration for excluding the Afghan government from the Doha Agreement negotiations. Despite the exhaustive investigation, McCaul admitted that many questions about the Department of Defense’s actions remain unanswered.
The committee’s investigation included 18 transcribed interviews, over 20,000 pages of documents, and seven public hearings. The report calls for reforms in the National Security Council and the State Department, but the White House has dismissed it as a partisan attack. Sharon Yang, a White House representative, accused the report of being biased and based on selectively chosen facts.
As the debate over the Afghanistan withdrawal continues, this report underscores the complex and contentious nature of one of the most challenging episodes in recent U.S. foreign policy.
