Washington (Monitoring Desk): A final report released by the U.S. Inspector General reveals that the United States spent a total of $763 billion on the war and reconstruction in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021.
The report notes that despite U.S. efforts, the Afghan government was sidelined in the Doha negotiations, resulting in weakened state structures. Between 2002 and 2021, $144.7 billion was allocated for reconstruction, of which $137.3 billion was spent, with corruption in the Afghan government identified as the primary obstacle.
$90 billion was allocated for Afghan security forces, but they collapsed following the U.S. withdrawal. The report further highlighted the presence of thousands of “ghost” employees in security institutions and widespread fuel theft. Vehicles, weapons, and 162 aircraft provided under U.S. aid were left behind after the withdrawal.
Despite $7.3 billion spent on counter-narcotics programs, they proved largely ineffective, and $4.7 billion in stabilization programs also yielded disappointing results. The conflict claimed 2,450 American lives and left 20,700 wounded.
After the withdrawal, $14.2 billion was allocated for refugee relocation, while the Taliban government received $3.83 billion in aid over four years. Global donors provided $8.1 billion through the United Nations, and six projects worth $1.5 billion remain active under the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund. The Taliban continued to collect taxes and levies on aid.
