Kabul — As Americans reflect on the 25 years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, CBS News reports from Afghanistan, where the war initiated by those attacks ended five years ago with the Taliban's return to power. Following the departure of U.S. and allied forces after a two-decade conflict, the Taliban seized billions of dollars worth of military hardware purchased by the U.S. President Trump, whose administration negotiated the withdrawal agreement with the Taliban, has criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the exit. Five years later, remnants of America's longest war are visible in Kabul, where Taliban fighters patrol in armored vehicles and wear American tactical gear. A convoy of Taliban personnel participated in a parade in front of the former U.S. Embassy in Kabul on August 15, 2026, marking the fifth anniversary of their return to power. CBS News observed a Humvee in Kabul still displaying a faded Green Bay Packers decal from its previous operators. Trump has demanded the return of the military equipment, while the Taliban claims it now belongs to the state of Afghanistan. Taliban spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi stated that they are not interested in negotiating the return of the equipment, asserting that the U.S. has caused significant destruction in Afghanistan. The Taliban's acquisition of approximately $7 billion in military hardware occurred when the Afghan National Army collapsed. Critics argue that the Biden administration's withdrawal strategy has allowed the Taliban to evolve from insurgents to a state military force, imposing strict interpretations of Islamic law and significantly restricting the rights of women and girls. Biden has largely refrained from commenting on the withdrawal but stated in September 2021 that he would not extend the 'forever war.' In 2023, the Biden administration released a summary of a classified review of the withdrawal, attributing blame to the Trump administration for the deal that facilitated the exit of U.S. forces by May 2021. A partially declassified report from the State Department also criticized both administrations for inadequate planning regarding the withdrawal.
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25 Years After 9/11, Taliban Controls Afghanistan with U.S. Military Equipment
As the U.S. marks 25 years since the 9/11 attacks, CBS News reports on the Taliban's control of Afghanistan, which has been bolstered by billions of dollars in U.S. military equipment. President Trump has criticized the Biden administration's withdrawal strategy, while the Taliban asserts that the seized equipment belongs to the Afghan state. Critics argue that the Taliban's access to this military hardware has allowed them to impose strict Islamic rule, particularly affecting women's rights.
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25 years after 9/11 attacks, Taliban rules Afghanistan again, but with U.S. firepower...
25 Years After 9/11, Taliban Controls Afghanistan with U.S. Military Equipment