The U.S. Department of Defense faces backlash after an inspector general's report revealed significant mismanagement, resulting in the shipment of damaged military equipment to Taiwan. The report highlighted that approximately 340 out of 504 pallets sent between November 2023 and March 2024 sustained water damage, including 3,000 body armor plates and 500 tactical vests covered in mold. This incident raised concerns about the Pentagon’s logistical capabilities and the U.S. commitment to supporting Taiwan amid increasing tensions with China. The Taiwanese government incurred costs exceeding $730,000 for cleaning and replacing the compromised gear. The report also noted the presence of outdated ammunition from 1983 and poor packaging practices, which hindered inventory efforts. The inspector general recommended improved guidelines for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to prevent future failures in military aid shipments.