The Blubber

In 2021, U.S. military equipment worth over $7 billion was left behind in Afghanistan following the hasty withdrawal of U.S. troops after two decades in the region, a source familiar with the matter stated. The recommendation to provide the Taliban with more advanced weapons to combat ISIS-K—a regional offshoot of the Islamic State—has surfaced, the source added, though they requested anonymity as they are not authorized to discuss this publicly.

The remarks follow Donald Trump’s recent statements during a rally where he threatened to cut financial aid to Afghanistan unless the Taliban returns U.S. military equipment, including aircraft, vehicles, and munitions.

“If we’re going to pay billions of dollars a year, tell them we’re not going to give them the money unless they give back our military equipment,” Trump said at the event.

Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fetrat declined to comment but acknowledged the U.S. demands in a brief message.

The Taliban captured the military equipment during the U.S. withdrawal and has since showcased it annually during ceremonies marking their return to power. These parades, held at a former American military base near Kabul, have even seen attendance from Chinese and Iranian diplomats.

Despite rejecting Trump’s demands, the Taliban-led government expressed interest in fostering a new relationship with the U.S. under the current administration. Central to their goals is access to over $9 billion in frozen foreign exchange reserves, which they claim would provide much-needed relief for Afghanistan's struggling economy. Establishing normalized relations with the U.S. would also support the Taliban’s efforts to gain international recognition for its government.

This comes as the Taliban announced the release of several American citizens in exchange for an Afghan held in a U.S. prison.

While countries like China, Pakistan, and Russia have accepted Taliban diplomats, none have formally recognized the Taliban government. International condemnation continues over ongoing human rights violations under the regime. China, however, became the first country to grant diplomatic credentials to the Taliban last year.