Washington Post: Former US Military Bases in Afghanistan Largely Sit Idle

DID Press: An investigative report by The Washington Post reveals that despite taking control of former U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, the Taliban have been unable to effectively utilize these facilities, leaving large portions of them largely inactive.

Based on satellite imagery and open-source intelligence, the report states that Taliban military activity at key bases such as Bagram, Kandahar, and Kabul is far more limited than the group initially claimed.

According to the newspaper, following their takeover, the Taliban attempted to project an image of military readiness and extensive operational use through propaganda videos, but available evidence does not substantiate those claims.

The report identifies financial constraints, a lack of skilled technical personnel, and the difficulty of maintaining advanced military equipment as key factors behind the Taliban’s failure to make effective use of the bases.

Satellite images indicate that only a small number of aircraft are operational, while some equipment appears to have been positioned on runways merely to create the appearance of military activity.

The Washington Post also addresses the fate of U.S. military equipment left behind, noting that many aircraft and engines have either been scrapped or dismantled for spare parts.

Efforts by the Taliban to convert some of these bases into economic or commercial hubs have likewise stalled due to high costs and insufficient infrastructure, the report adds.

The report concludes that while the Taliban maintain physical control over former U.S. military installations, on-the-ground realities show they lack the technical and financial capacity required to effectively operate and sustain these strategically significant facilities.