New Review Ordered of Afghanistan Withdrawal

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a comprehensive new review of the 2021 U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, citing the need for greater accountability and transparency. The review, to be led by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Sean Parnell, will also include former Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller and journalist Jerry Dunleavy on the panel. The investigation will revisit previous probes and scrutinize the decision-making that led to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and nearly 200 civilians in a suicide bombing at Kabul’s Abbey Gate. Additional focus will be placed on the abandonment of military equipment and the fate of Afghan allies. Hegseth has pledged to provide regular updates and stressed the importance of holding responsible leaders to account. The move follows an earlier three-month review and continues amid bipartisan criticism of the withdrawal.