Kabul—As Americans contemplate 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks, CBS News returned to Afghanistan, marking five years since the Taliban regained power after the long conflict. This shift occurred when U.S. and allied troops withdrew, leaving behind substantial military hardware.
President Trump, who negotiated the withdrawal deal, criticized the subsequent administration for mismanaging the pullout. Five years on, American military equipment is a common sight in Kabul. Taliban fighters use armored vehicles previously supplied to Afghan forces and wear U.S. tactical gear. On August 15, 2026, Taliban forces held a parade in front of the former U.S. Embassy, celebrating their return to power.
President Trump condemned the previous administration for allowing the U.S. military to leave behind extensive hardware. The Taliban, however, has showcased these assets in military parades through Kabul. According to Pentagon data, approximately $7 billion worth of equipment fell into Taliban hands.
The Afghan Taliban’s elite Badri 313 battalion utilizes American vehicles, gear, and weapons, affirming their fortified stature.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated the equipment now belongs to Afghanistan. He rebutted calls for its return, pointing to the U.S.’s destructive actions in the country.
Critics assert the Biden administration’s withdrawal transformed the Taliban from insurgents into a state military force with American-funded weaponry. These have been used to enforce strict Islamic rule, significantly curtailing rights, especially for women and girls.
Though President Biden remained relatively silent on the withdrawal, he remarked in September 2021 about ending the ‘forever war.’ He argued American troops should not fight a war that Afghan forces would not engage in. In 2023, the White House released a summary blaming the Trump administration for the deal that led to the withdrawal by May 2021.
The Doha Agreement, established by Trump’s administration, detailed conditions for the Taliban to meet for U.S. forces to exit. Another report released by the State Department critiqued both Trump and Biden administrations for inadequate withdrawal planning.
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