The U.S. left behind billions in military equipment for the Taliban

FEE's Brad Polumbo writes, "The Times of London reports that the US simply abandoned a truly astounding arsenal of military equipment and weapons. This reportedly includes up to 22,174 Humvee vehicles, nearly 1,000 armored vehicles, 64,363 machine guns, and 42,000 pick-up trucks and SUVs. So, too, the list of allegedly abandoned weaponry includes up to 358,530 assault rifles, 126,295 pistols, and nearly 200 artillery units. Oh, and the Taliban will likely inherit state-of-the-art military helicopters, warplanes, and other aircraft from the US, too."

NEW: Here’s the List of Billions in Military Equipment the US Left Behind for the Taliban

Good job with our tax money, government! My latest ? ⤵️ ? ?https://t.co/P2E0KDU1UH — Brad Polumbo ??⚽️ ?️‍? (@brad_polumbo) August 30, 2021

The US sent this equipment to Afghanistan to arm the Afghan security forces/alternative government we unsuccessfully sought to prop up. (That government has now collapsed and the Taliban is retaking control.) While some of our equipment may have been taken with US personnel when they fled Afghanistan, much of it is difficult to transport, and most of it likely remained behind amid a chaotic withdrawal.

As a result, it will eventually fall into Taliban hands, if it hasn’t already."

Read the entire column here.