A Foreign Policy Catastrophe: U.S. Weapons in the Hands of Terrorists, and Trump Wants Them Back
In what is now recognized as one of the gravest national security blunders in U.S. history, President Joe Biden’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan didn’t just leave behind chaos—it left behind billions in American military hardware, now fueling terror groups and shifting the balance of power in the region.
According to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), the Taliban generated over $3.4 billion in revenue last year—some of it by trafficking seized U.S. weapons to jihadist organizations like al-Qaeda, ISIS-K, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The Fallout: 500,000+ Weapons Missing, Sold, or Smuggled
A BBC investigation revealed that of the roughly 1 million items of U.S. gear captured, at least half a million are unaccounted for—and many have been spotted in conflicts across the region. From M4 rifles and MRAPs to Black Hawk helicopters, the Taliban’s arsenal is a grotesque mockery of American retreat.
Despite Pentagon claims that the gear was “disabled,” the Taliban celebrated their third year in power by parading U.S. weaponry at Bagram Airfield, the former epicenter of NATO operations. Attending the spectacle? Diplomats from China and Iran, signaling a disturbing realignment of power.
“$85 billion in weapons handed over to terrorists—this is what Joe Biden did,” President Trump declared.
“We will get them back. If we have to pay, fine. But we want our equipment back.”
Black-Market Chaos, Terror Funding, and Symbolic Power
The Taliban has transformed these weapons into both currency and propaganda. Commanders trade gear on WhatsApp, gift rifles to consolidate local power, and keep 20% of seized weapons under Taliban policy, further splintering control and fuelling black-market trafficking.
The weapons are no longer just tools of war—they are symbols of U.S. failure, waved in defiance by militants emboldened by America’s absence.
China, Russia, and a New Geopolitical Vacuum
Though no major mining deals have yet materialized, China and Russia are circling. Both countries have reopened embassies in Kabul. China became the first to accept Taliban diplomatic credentials and has floated non-binding mineral deals.
But logistical and political realities—such as Afghanistan’s instability, poor infrastructure, and lack of skilled labor—have stalled deeper economic involvement. Still, the Taliban’s open courtship of anti-U.S. regimes is a red flag for American strategic interests.
SIGAR Shutdown: No More Oversight
Perhaps most alarming: SIGAR will cease operations in 2026, removing the last federal oversight mechanism monitoring U.S. losses in Afghanistan. Former SIGAR chief John Sopko warns that while reclaiming the weapons may be financially unrealistic, the strategic cost of inaction is far greater.
“This isn’t just a blunder—it’s a national security time bomb,” Sopko said.
Trump’s Mission: Restore Security, Reclaim Strength
As Trump prepares to return to the White House, he’s made clear that the Taliban’s new arsenal will not go unchallenged. Whether through diplomatic leverage, financial compensation, or other means, Trump has vowed to take action where Biden only retreated.
This isn’t just about weapons—it’s about deterrence, dignity, and global power.
Biden’s failure armed terrorists. Trump’s resolve may be the only way to disarm them.