SIGAR final report cites Afghanistan waste
The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction’s final report, released earlier this week, concludes the U.S. spent $144.7 billion on reconstruction from 2002–2021 yet failed to transform Afghanistan due to corruption, unclear strategy, and systemic weaknesses. Acting IG Gene Aloise said SIGAR identified at least $26 billion in waste, fraud and abuse, estimated about $38.6 billion in U.S.-provided equipment/infrastructure was left behind, and noted the Biden administration initially blocked cooperation post‑withdrawal until Congress pressed agencies to engage; SIGAR will close Jan. 31.
📌 Key Facts
- $144.7B appropriated for Afghanistan reconstruction (2002–2021)
- SIGAR identified $26B in waste/fraud/abuse and $4.6B in cost savings
- About $38.6B in U.S.-provided equipment/infrastructure left behind after 2021 withdrawal
- SIGAR will close Jan. 31; Aloise says cooperation from State/USAID resumed after congressional pressure
- SIGAR not asked to contribute to the Pentagon’s current withdrawal review ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
📊 Relevant Data
Afghanistan's population is estimated to be 42% Pashtun, 27% Tajik, 9% Hazara, 9% Uzbek, 3% Turkmen, and 2% Baluchi.
Afghanistan - Minority Rights Group — Minority Rights Group
In 2023, Afghanistan scored 20 out of 100 on the Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 162 out of 180 countries.
2023 Corruption Perceptions Index: Explore the… - Transparency.org — Transparency International
Afghanistan's adult literacy rate in 2022 was 37.3%, with 52.1% for men and 22.6% for women.
Community-based Literacy and Complementary Learning Possibilities — UNESCO
Afghanistan's GDP per capita in 2021 was $356.50.
Afghanistan GDP Per Capita | Historical Chart & Data - Macrotrends — Macrotrends
In 2020, the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces had a 22% attrition rate, largely due to desertions.
Biden's bogus claim that Afghanistan's military was larger than those ... — The Washington Post
By late 2012, the Afghan National Army was composed of 43% Pashtuns, 32% Tajiks, 12% Hazaras, 8% Uzbeks, and smaller percentages of other groups.
Afghan Army - Wikipedia — Wikipedia