Pentagon’s Afghan Exit Leaves Unused $6 Billion to Fight Over
- At least $6 billion in unspent, requested funds under review
- Considering how to shift funds from Afghanistan operations
U.S. Soldiers and Marines assist with security at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Aug. 19.
Photographer: Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla/U.S. Marine Corps/Getty Images
The U.S. departure from Afghanistan is leaving the Pentagon with at least $6 billion in unspent funds for the now-defunct Afghan Security Force -- and a potential fight over how to spend the money.
The Defense Department’s Comptroller is consulting with lawmakers and the White House Office of Management and Budget over the funds, which included $600 million in previously approved but unspent fiscal 2020 funds, as well as $2.3 billion in this fiscal year as of June plus $3.3 billion requested for fiscal 2022. They were earmarked to what was once the Afghan National Army, National Police, Air Force and Special Security Forces.