Exclusive interview with top general in charge of Afghanistan withdrawal: ‘I harbor numerous regrets’

In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, the former head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), expressed his belief that the withdrawal from Afghanistan will be seen as a fatal flaw in history. McKenzie, who retired in April 2022, oversaw the largest evacuation in U.S. history, evacuating approximately 124,000 Afghans before the Taliban took over on August 31, 2021. He revealed that he has many regrets, including the decision to evacuate and not beginning the evacuation process earlier. McKenzie described the chaotic countdown to August 31, highlighting the desperation of Afghan citizens trying to escape Taliban rule. The interview also touched on the security threats faced by the U.S. military, including the ISIS-K suicide bombing at Abbey Gate that killed 13 U.S. service members and nearly 200 Afghans. McKenzie defended the military’s actions, stating that they had no specific intelligence about the suicide bomber or the hotel where members of ISIS-K were allegedly gathering. He also explained that the Taliban’s role was to provide security around the perimeter of the airport, and while there were downsides to their presence, he believes it prevented other attacks. McKenzie expressed regret and stated that he constantly examines what could have been done differently. He still believes that the U.S. should have troops in Afghanistan due to the growing threat of ISIS-K.