Threats
The Kabul Airlift in 5 Charts
The largest emergency airlift ever handled by the U.S. military started slowly and built to a torrent.
Threats
California, Louisiana Receive Outside Help to Support Natural Disaster Response
Both states have units deployed that would otherwise be helping in their efforts.
Ideas
Calculating the Costs of the Afghanistan War
The war in Afghanistan, like many other wars before it, began with optimistic assessments of a quick victory and the promise to rebuild at war’s end.
Defense Systems
Air Force chief software officer to resign
The Air Force's first chief software officer, Nicolas Chaillan, will step down from his role in October, citing lack of funding and being "unempowered to fix basic IT issues."
Threats
No US Military Dogs Were Left Behind in Afghanistan, DOD Says
Pentagon officials say the caged dogs in viral photos aren’t military working dogs, all of which were evacuated.
Threats
Inside the Final Hours at Kabul Airport
Alone on the airfield after hundreds of other U.S. troops had left, five handpicked joint tactical exfiltration crews blew up the last remaining defenses and took off in the dark.
Threats
The Last U.S. Military Plane Has Left Kabul. What’s Next for Americans, Afghans Left Behind?
"Do not count on Americans to save you," one volunteer rescue group warns Afghans now at risk.
Threats
The Final Retrograde from Afghanistan Has Officially Begun
The threat to U.S. personnel, aircraft in the final days at Kabul airport remains “very real” after a retaliatory U.S. drone strike took out two ISIS-K planners.
Threats
13 US Troops Killed, More Injured, in Terrorist Attack at Kabul Airport
10 Marines among the dead; they were securing one of the last gates open for Afghans, Americans to escape.
Business
Conference Wire: Navy Eyes Greater Space Capabilities
The final day of the 2021 Space Symposium saw Navy officials talk—just a bit—about their plans.
Threats
13 US Troops Killed in Terrorist Attack at Kabul Airport
In a statement, Biden vows to attackers: "We will hunt you down and make you pay."
Threats
US Troops, Afghans Killed by Explosion at Kabul Airport, Pentagon Says
Worsening security and the need to get all troops out is quickly closing the window to safely escape. ‘Today is likely last day,’ one memo advises.
Threats
Afghanistan Airlift Ops Have Rescued 101,300 From Kabul
But numbers out each day are dropping as Taliban tighten grip on airport, security threats rise.
Business
Qatar Helping US Fly Afghanistan Evacuees to Germany
The planes are not part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet activation, but are flying similar routes.
Policy
Air Force’s Kendall Creates Space Acquisition Office, Accelerates Absorption of Space Development Agency
And the new service secretary is asking Congress to allow him to move faster yet.
Policy
Biden Holds to Aug. 31 Evacuation Deadline, But Orders Up ‘Contingency Plans’ for Afghanistan Pullout
Military, contracted planes have airlifted 87,900 people from Kabul as of Wednesday—but the Taliban is now clamping down on who can leave.
Policy
US Has Evacuated 42,000 from Kabul; 16,000 in last 24 Hours Alone, Pentagon Says
The pace is still rising; Taliban have threatened “consequences” if U.S. forces remain beyond Aug. 31.
Threats