Defense Secretary Hegseth Orders Full Review of U.S. Military Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Panel to Investigate Chaotic 2021 Exit That Led to Deaths of U.S. Troops and Afghan Civilians

Washington, D.C. — May 21, 2025

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a sweeping internal review of the U.S. military’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, marking the most comprehensive investigation to date into the chaotic final days of America’s longest war. In a memo dated May 20, Hegseth emphasized the need for full transparency and accountability, especially following the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul airport’s Abbey Gate.

The bombing on August 26, 2021, during President Biden’s administration, resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians. The event became a symbol of the disorderly exit and sparked bipartisan calls for a deeper investigation. While the Pentagon has previously conducted internal assessments, Hegseth stated that those efforts were insufficient.

“The Department of Defense has an obligation… to get to the facts,” Hegseth wrote in the memo addressed to Pentagon leadership and combatant commands. He highlighted the significant loss of lives and equipment and the importance of honoring the sacrifices of American warfighters.

To lead the investigation, Hegseth tasked the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Senior Advisor Sean Parnell to form a Special Review Panel. The panel’s mandate includes reassessing prior findings, interviewing witnesses, verifying decision-making timelines, and producing a public report on what went wrong during the withdrawal operation.

Hegseth’s move aligns with President Donald Trump’s vow to bring clarity to past foreign policy failures and uphold transparency in military actions. The review is expected to examine inter-agency coordination, intelligence reports, embassy evacuations, and on-the-ground military decisions made during the operation’s final days, according to the official memo shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The panel will begin work immediately, with findings to be presented in a series of briefings later this year. Officials say the outcome could influence military strategy and public trust in future large-scale operations abroad.