Criticism over the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan continues, with veteran and lawmaker Rep. Matt Van Epps calling for accountability and an apology from the Biden administration over the handling of the Kabul evacuation.
In an opinion piece, Van Epps reflected on nearly two decades of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, noting the enormous human and financial costs of the conflict. More than $2 trillion was spent and around 2,400 American lives were lost during the war.
The commentary sharply criticizes the final stages of the U.S. mission, particularly the chaotic scenes surrounding the evacuation from Kabul in August 2021. According to Van Epps, decisions made during the withdrawal failed to adequately account for conditions on the ground and prioritized political considerations over military realities.
The piece also highlights concerns over strategic assets left behind during the withdrawal, as well as the deadly Abbey Gate bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport, which killed U.S. service members and Afghan civilians.
Van Epps argues that greater accountability is needed to examine how decisions were made and whether some of the consequences could have been prevented through different planning and execution.
The criticism reflects continuing debate in the United States over the legacy of the Afghanistan war and the circumstances surrounding the final withdrawal, years after American forces ended their military presence in the country.