Pentagon to Publish Review of 2021 Afghanistan Withdrawal This Summer

The United States Department of Defense is scheduled to release the findings of a comprehensive internal review examining the 2021 troop withdrawal from Afghanistan later this summer. The assessment will focus on the operational and strategic decisions that preceded the deadly attack near Kabul’s international airport.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the upcoming publication, characterizing the 2021 exit as a disastrous operation that continues to affect global perceptions of American military deterrence. Hegseth noted that prior inquiries into the withdrawal were incomplete and stated that the new review aims to provide a full accounting of the events and command decisions during that period.

The review will specifically address the circumstances surrounding the August 26, 2021, suicide bombing at the airport’s Abbey Gate, which resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and numerous Afghan civilians. Pentagon officials have indicated that the forthcoming report will evaluate intelligence assessments, evacuation protocols, and the chain of command during the final days of the US military presence in the country.

The release of the findings is expected to draw attention from lawmakers, veterans’ groups, and international observers who have long sought clarity regarding the planning and execution of the withdrawal. No specific publication date has been provided, but the department confirmed the report will be made public before the end of the summer season.