House Foreign Affairs Chair Demands NSA Sullivan's Testimony on Afghanistan Exit

The chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul, has formally requested National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to provide public testimony regarding the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. This demand is part of an extensive investigation into the conclusion of America's longest war, which spanned almost two decades.

In a letter to the White House, McCaul stated he would "compel" Sullivan's testimony if cooperation was not forthcoming. The Republican lawmaker has set August 31, 2024, as the deadline for arranging Sullivan's appearance before the committee.

The investigation focuses on the events surrounding the U.S. departure from Afghanistan, which resulted in the rapid collapse of the U.S.-supported Afghan government and the subsequent Taliban takeover. McCaul's letter suggests that the National Security Council (NSC) may have overstepped its authority during the withdrawal process.

"Ending our longest war was the right thing to do and our nation is stronger today as a result. The decision has put us in a stronger position to address the challenges of the future and the threats we face today."

The White House has not confirmed whether Sullivan will testify, but emphasized their cooperation with the investigation thus far.

It's worth noting that the NSC, established in 1947, plays a crucial advisory role to the President on national security and foreign policy matters. The House Foreign Affairs Committee, dating back to 1822, holds jurisdiction over various aspects of foreign policy and national security.

Democrats have criticized McCaul's investigation as partisan, arguing that the groundwork for the U.S. defeat in Afghanistan was laid during the Trump administration. They point to the 2020 Doha Agreement, which excluded the Afghan government from negotiations with the Taliban.

The investigation has been ongoing for nearly three years, with McCaul gaining subpoena power in January 2023 when Republicans took control of the House. An interim report released in August 2022 highlighted potential security risks, including the flight of U.S.-trained Afghan special forces to Iran.

The Afghanistan war, which began on October 7, 2001, in response to the 9/11 attacks, saw the U.S. spend over $2 trillion and lose more than 2,400 service members. The conflict's end was marked by a chaotic evacuation from Kabul airport in August 2021, one of the largest airlifts in history.

The investigation continues to examine the complex factors that led to the war's conclusion and its aftermath, aiming to provide accountability for the decisions made during this critical period in U.S. foreign policy.