U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to cut $2.5 billion in annual aid to Afghanistan unless the Taliban returns military equipment left behind during the U.S. withdrawal. The demand raises tensions as humanitarian groups warn of disruptions to aid efforts in the region.
US President Donald Trump has tied Washington’s ongoing financial assistance to Afghanistan to the recovery of military equipment left behind in the country following the US withdrawal.
Speaking on the matter, President Trump highlighted that the US provides $2.5 billion annually in aid to Afghanistan and warned that this assistance would be halted unless the weapons and military gear abandoned during the withdrawal are returned to the United States.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, the United States has remained the largest provider of humanitarian aid to the country. According to a Voice of America report, the US has contributed approximately $3 billion in aid by early 2025. This assistance, channeled through the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations, is intended to support the Afghan population.
However, since taking office in January 2025, President Trump’s administration has suspended all foreign aid for 90 days, significantly disrupting aid distribution in Afghanistan. This move has raised immediate concerns among humanitarian groups operating in the region.
President Trump has repeatedly expressed concerns about the military equipment left behind after the US withdrawal, which has since fallen into the hands of the Taliban. This time, he has explicitly linked the continuation of U.S. aid to the return of this equipment.
A 2022 report from the US Department of Defense revealed that military equipment worth $7 billion was abandoned during the withdrawal. Most of this equipment had been provided to the NATO-backed Afghan army but was swiftly seized by the Taliban as they took control of the country. The abandoned assets included 78 aircraft, 40,000 military vehicles, and over 300,000 weapons.
In the final weeks of the chaotic withdrawal after 20 years of war, U.S. forces attempted to dismantle or destroy as much of their equipment as possible—ranging from aircraft to computer systems. However, much of the machinery remained intact and fell into Taliban hands.
According to Jason Campbell, a senior researcher at the RAND Corporation, much of the abandoned equipment has deteriorated or been dismantled over the past four years. Campbell noted that the Taliban views this equipment as state assets rather than negotiable spoils.
The interim Afghan government has yet to respond to President Trump’s latest remarks. However, its spokesperson has previously dismissed Trump’s demands for the return of military equipment, calling them unrealistic.
Washington, D.C., February 24, 2025 – Canada and Mexico are set to intensify efforts this week to demonstrate to the Trump administration that their enhanced border security measures are effectively curbing fentanyl trafficking and migrant flows.
Washington, D.C., February 24, 2025 – French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the White House on Monday to engage in high-level discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump over the prospects for ending the Ukraine conflict
President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that the U.S. is "pretty close" to an agreement with Ukraine regarding revenue from Ukrainian minerals as part of efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Washington, D.C., February 19, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Air Force One that he expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the United States, though he did not provide a specific timeline for the trip.
The Trump administration is considering a simplified minerals agreement with Ukraine, aiming to secure a quick deal before negotiating detailed terms, according to sources familiar with the matter.
New York, February 24, 2025 – Roberta Flack, the iconic singer known for her soulful renditions of classics such as “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” has died at the age of 88. Flack passed away Monday at her home, surrounded by family, according to a statement from her publicist.
Berlin, February 24, 2025 – Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, declared on Monday that he would work to ensure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can visit Germany without facing arrest under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
Doha, Qatar, February 23, 2025 – Qatar's government has entered into a five-year partnership with San Francisco-based Scale AI to deploy a range of AI-powered tools aimed at improving public services.
Washington, D.C., February 24, 2025 – Canada and Mexico are set to intensify efforts this week to demonstrate to the Trump administration that their enhanced border security measures are effectively curbing fentanyl trafficking and migrant flows.
A recent discovery has revealed that ancient artifacts from the Treasure of Villena were crafted using metal from meteorites, offering new insights into early metalworking techniques in the Iberian Peninsula.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
Polish startup Clone Robotics has unveiled Protoclone, the world’s first anatomically accurate humanoid robot, featuring artificial muscles, bones, and joints that enable lifelike movements.
The leaders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will convene for the inaugural summit in Khujand on March 31, said Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Edil Baysalov.
The Council of the European Union has decided today to suspend a number of restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria, with the aim to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, and its swift economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilisation.
Cairo will host an extraordinary Arab league summit on 4th March, which was initially set for Representatives from the Gulf States, Egypt and Jordanare seeking a common position on the financing of reconstruction and the future governance of the Gaza Strip.
Azerbaijan and Pakistan strengthen ties with $2B agreements set for April, boosting trade, security, and energy cooperation. Leaders highlight regional alliances and shared global interests.
New York, February 24, 2025 – Roberta Flack, the iconic singer known for her soulful renditions of classics such as “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” has died at the age of 88. Flack passed away Monday at her home, surrounded by family, according to a statement from her publicist.
Berlin, February 24, 2025 – Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, declared on Monday that he would work to ensure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can visit Germany without facing arrest under an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
Doha, Qatar, February 23, 2025 – Qatar's government has entered into a five-year partnership with San Francisco-based Scale AI to deploy a range of AI-powered tools aimed at improving public services.
Washington, D.C., February 24, 2025 – Canada and Mexico are set to intensify efforts this week to demonstrate to the Trump administration that their enhanced border security measures are effectively curbing fentanyl trafficking and migrant flows.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment