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.

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.

Science & Tech

US Army Wants to Put Facial Recognition in Daycare Centers

A pilot system at Fort Jackson would begin “monitoring the health and well-being of children."

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.

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.

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.

Defense Systems

Army looks to revise cyber operations doctrine

Brig. Gen. Paul Stanton, the commanding general for the Army's Cyber Center of Excellence, said the service was in the final stages of publishing a revised field manual on how it executes cyber operations.

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.

Policy

‘All the Signs Have Been There’ Predicting Afghan Security Force Collapse, IG Says

For more than a decade, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has been warning about “ghost soldiers” and corruption to anyone willing to pay attention.

Threats

Afghanistan Veterans Struggling With News of Taliban Takeover

Advocates encourage veterans to use VA, veteran service organization resources for help.

Policy

Panic at Kabul Airport Imperils Evacuation Flights; At Least Two Afghans Dead

U.S. warns that any attacks on evacuation will meet “a forceful response,” but how long will the Taliban hold off?

Threats

Taliban Take Presidential Palace as Kabul Falls With Americans, Afghans Still Trapped

U.S. races yet another 1,000 troops to Kabul. Total force on ground to jump to 6,000 within days.

Ideas

We Never Did What Was Necessary in Afghanistan

We lost. It’s painful and infuriating, but a few more troops and a little more time would change nothing.