January 1, Billions in U.S. Weapons Fuel Taliban Power

Wyatt’s Take

• The Taliban now use billions in U.S. weapons left behind.
• America’s 20-year mission in Afghanistan cost taxpayers plenty and ended in chaos.
• The Pentagon admits at least $7.1 billion in arms are now in Taliban hands.

The U.S. watchdog for Afghan reconstruction says equipment and bases left behind during the 2021 withdrawal became the backbone of the Taliban’s military. The rushed exit led to the collapse of Afghan forces and gave control of advanced gear to the Taliban.

In a report wrapping up the mission, the inspector general said, “these U.S. taxpayer-funded equipment, weapons, and facilities have formed the core of the Taliban security apparatus.” SIGAR, the watchdog, is closing next year after this final review.

The Pentagon found that at least $7.1 billion in U.S. weaponry ended up with the Taliban. The U.S. sent another $3.47 billion in aid to Afghanistan after the Taliban took over.

Acting SIGAR Gene Aloise wrote that after almost $90 billion spent trying to train Afghan forces, they “collapsed quickly without a sustained U.S. military presence.” The report calls the 20-year fight “fraught with waste.”

“Over two decades, the United States invested billions of dollars and incurred thousands of casualties … yet ultimately delivered neither stability nor democracy,” the report said. “The rapid collapse … in August 2021 laid bare the fragility that had been concealed by years of confident assertions of progress. The gap between ambition and reality was vast.”

The U.S. spent over $88 billion just on Afghan security forces. Most of it paid for weapons, gear, training, and salaries. Since 2002, the U.S. bought nearly 100,000 vehicles, over 427,000 weapons, thousands of night vision devices, and 162 aircraft for Afghan forces—most now in enemy hands or destroyed.

Pentagon records show Afghan Air Force had 162 U.S.-supplied aircraft just before Kabul fell, with 131 still usable. Billions also built military bases, HQs, and training centers now run by the Taliban.

“DoD determined that the United States left behind approximately $7.1 billion in material and equipment it had given to the ANDSF,” the watchdog explained.

This isn’t just about lost money—it’s about national security and letting dangerous gear go to America’s sworn enemies. Families who paid taxes and sent loved ones deserve better answers.

Wyatt Matters

Middle America works hard for every dollar, and Americans expect their leaders to spend wisely. Seeing hard-earned taxpayer money turned over to the Taliban shakes trust and stirs deep frustration in the heartland.

Read full report here