Policy
Air Force’s Kendall Creates Space Acquisition Office, Accelerates Absorption of Space Development Agency
And the new service secretary is asking Congress to allow him to move faster yet.
Exclusive
Threats
Kabul Evacuee With Potential ISIS Ties Detained at Qatar Base
Up to 100 evacuees have been flagged for further scrutiny during the more comprehensive screening they received at their first stop after Afghanistan.
Science & Tech
How One Tech Entrepreneur Is Scaling Up Veteran-Led Evacuation Efforts
Volunteers in the U.S. are telling fleeing Afghans where Taliban traps are.
Policy
Biden Holds to Aug. 31 Evacuation Deadline, But Orders Up ‘Contingency Plans’ for Afghanistan Pullout
Military, contracted planes have airlifted 87,900 people from Kabul as of Wednesday—but the Taliban is now clamping down on who can leave.
Policy
US Has Evacuated 42,000 from Kabul; 16,000 in last 24 Hours Alone, Pentagon Says
The pace is still rising; Taliban have threatened “consequences” if U.S. forces remain beyond Aug. 31.
Threats
Defense Secretary Orders US Airlines to Help With Evacuation
It's only the third time in history that the U.S. airlines have been mobilized by the military.
Policy
US Helicopters Rescued 169 Americans Outside Airport; More Ops Could Follow
Biden “will mobilize every resource necessary” to save more, but U.S. has yet to test Taliban checkpoints. Meanwhile, fuel-strained air operations resume.
Ideas
The Pentagon Must Prep Now for the Next Pandemic
We must take stock of the myriad ways the U.S. military has helped fight COVID-19—and learn to do even better.
Policy
More Seats Than Passengers: Paperwork, Taliban Slow Afghanistan Evacuation
But the pace is picking up. Some 6,000 "will soon board planes," a State Department spokesman said.
Exclusive
Policy
Trump’s Pledge to Exit Afghanistan Was a Ruse, His Final SecDef Says
Chris Miller now says talk of a full withdrawal was a “play” to convince a Taliban-led government to keep U.S. counterterrorism forces.
Policy
‘All the Signs Have Been There’ Predicting Afghan Security Force Collapse, IG Says
For more than a decade, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has been warning about “ghost soldiers” and corruption to anyone willing to pay attention.
Policy
‘Cannot Ensure Safe Passage’: US Tells Americans in Kabul to Get to Airport On Their Own
Biden says U.S. forces may have to stay past Aug. 31 to help evacuate stranded personnel.
Policy
Air Force Launches Investigation Into Deadly Kabul C-17 Flight
Mobbed by civilians, the Globemaster crew raced to get back in the air. The service’s investigations office will look into the deaths that followed.
Policy
US Ramps Up Emergency Kabul Airlift to Get 5,000 to 9,000 Out Per Day
American commanders are in direct talks with Taliban, who now control all outside access to the airport
Policy
Panic at Kabul Airport Imperils Evacuation Flights; At Least Two Afghans Dead
U.S. warns that any attacks on evacuation will meet “a forceful response,” but how long will the Taliban hold off?
Ideas
The Pentagon Needs a Strategy That Does Not Hinge on Fragile Networks
A failed wargame should make us think twice about “connect-everything” plans.
Ideas
We Never Did What Was Necessary in Afghanistan
We lost. It’s painful and infuriating, but a few more troops and a little more time would change nothing.
Threats
The US Spent $83 Billion Training Afghan Forces. Why Did They Collapse So Quickly?
The U.S. is rushing enough airpower to evacuate thousands as the Taliban advances on Kabul.
Threats
The Taliban Captured Helicopters. Can They Capture an Air Force?
These are the lethal warplanes that could fall under Taliban control.
Ideas