Rapid Collapse of Afghan Forces Wasn’t Foreseen, Milley Says
- Austin says U.S. has limited ability to help allies in Kabul
- U.S. to ‘deconflict’ with Taliban over airport access: Austin
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley participate in a news briefing at the Pentagon on July 21.
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American intelligence assessments didn’t foresee such a rapid collapse of the Afghan military, and the U.S. now has a limited ability to aid allies stuck in Kabul, the Pentagon’s top leaders said.
“There are not reports that I am aware of that predicted a security force of 300,000 would evaporate in 11 days,” General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Wednesday at a news conference alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.