"Top Generals Critique Afghan Evacuation Errors and State Department Delays"
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and former Commander of the United States Central Command Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. detailed the mistakes that led to the chaotic U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021 during a congressional hearing. They highlighted the State Department's delay in ordering a non-combatant evacuation operation, the hasty departure of Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, and the impact of the Doha Agreement negotiated with the Taliban. The hearing shed light on the interconnected developments that contributed to the chaotic situation, including conflicting interpretations about the number of troops to remain in the country.