Trump Directs Official To Retrieve U.S. Weapons From Taliban
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to reclaim American military equipment left in Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to reclaim American military equipment left in Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump tasked a U.S. official with developing a strategy to retrieve the military assets now in Taliban possession.
During his speech, Trump referred to an individual named “Doug” as the person responsible for overseeing the effort. The exact identity of the official remains unclear, but speculation suggests it could be Doug Manchester, a businessman and Republican donor. Afghanistan International reached out to the U.S. State Department for confirmation but has not received a response.
Expressing frustration over Taliban fighters using U.S. military gear in parades, Trump stated: “If we’re going to give them that kind of money, let them give back the military equipment, which they have. They have tanks and trucks and guns and goggles—better than we have. Brand new, right out of the box. It’s unbelievable.”
Since the U.S. withdrawal, billions of dollars worth of military equipment has remained in Taliban hands. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, over $7 billion in military assets, including vehicles, weapons, biometric devices, and advanced technologies, were abandoned.
Between 2002 and June 2020, the U.S. invested $88.61 billion in the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund to equip and sustain Afghan defence forces. However, following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, much of this equipment was seized. Reports indicate that the Taliban now possesses 78 aircraft, more than 40,000 military vehicles, and over 300,000 firearms, making it one of the most heavily armed militant groups in the region.
Additionally, biometric and identification tools abandoned during the withdrawal are now in Taliban hands, enabling them to track individuals who previously worked with the U.S. and Afghan government.
Reports suggest that Taliban-controlled military equipment is being sold on the black market in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with some of it reaching armed groups in the Middle East and Kashmir. Recent images have shown Iranian special forces using U.S.-made M4 rifles, raising concerns about the proliferation of American weapons in conflict zones.
ISIS fighters have also been documented using U.S. weapons, including in attacks against Hazaras in Daikundi province. The widespread trade of U.S. weapons in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s tribal regions has further complicated security concerns, as militant groups continue to access advanced military gear initially intended for the former Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.
Trump’s directive to retrieve the equipment underscores ongoing concerns over U.S. military assets falling into the hands of extremist groups. However, the feasibility of reclaiming these weapons remains uncertain, as the Taliban continues to consolidate control over Afghanistan’s military infrastructure.
