Former US President Donald Trump has called for the retrieval of billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment left behind in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal in 2021. During his first Cabinet meeting in his second administration, Trump criticized the handling of the withdrawal, describing it as a “disastrous exit” and highlighting the abandonment of valuable military assets, including brand-new trucks and other advanced equipment.
Trump emphasized the need to reclaim the equipment, which he claimed is now being displayed by the Taliban in parades and public events. He suggested that the United States should consider taking action to recover the lost military gear, which he described as “top-of-the-line stuff.” In addition, he called for the removal of military leaders who were involved in overseeing the withdrawal process.
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The former president also argued that the equipment, including 777,000 rifles and 70,000 armored vehicles, has turned Afghanistan into “one of the biggest sellers of military equipment in the world.” His comments have reignited debates about the chaotic withdrawal and the future of US policy in Afghanistan.
Experts, however, have raised concerns over Trump’s suggestion of retrieving the equipment. Many believe that such an operation would require military intervention, potentially leading to a re-invasion of Afghanistan—a country with a history of resisting foreign powers. Sensitive equipment left behind by the US military is typically demilitarized, making it non-functional, while much of the remaining equipment had been transferred to the Afghan National Army (ANA), which collapsed during the Taliban takeover.
Between 2005 and 2021, the US provided over $18.6 billion in military equipment to the ANA. However, approximately $7 billion worth of gear, including aircraft and missiles, was left behind after the withdrawal, raising questions about the feasibility of Trump’s proposed recovery.
The White House has yet to issue a formal response to Trump’s remarks, though they are expected to trigger further discussions on the broader implications of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
