Trump Suggests US May Reclaim Military Gear From Afghanistan

US President Donald Trump, speaking at a White House meeting with women on Thursday, lambasted Joe Biden for leaving billions of dollars’ worth of American military equipment in Afghanistan.

Trump claimed the Biden administration had effectively handed over vast amounts of US gear to the country during its withdrawal.

“Maybe we have to ask for that back, although it is getting a little old,” he said, hinting at retrieving the abandoned assets. He offered no specifics but has repeatedly called for the recovery of US military equipment left behind. Trump also noted that the US has rebuilt its military strength despite the loss.

The Taliban, however, has ruled out returning any equipment to Washington. Taliban officials have dubbed the abandoned weaponry “war spoils,” asserting their intent to keep and use it.

Trump earlier assigned an official named “Doug” to devise a retrieval plan, though the individual’s identity remains uncertain. Some speculate he meant Doug Manchester, a businessman and Republican backer. The US Department of Defence estimates the value of equipment left in Afghanistan exceeds $7 billion, including vehicles, advanced weapons, biometric devices, and other technologies.

From 2002 to June 2020, the US spent over $88 billion via the Afghan Security Forces Fund, managed by the Department of Defence, to equip and support Afghan security forces. Additional funds went towards training, services, capacity-building, and infrastructure projects.