Taliban Reportedly Considers US Equipment To Be “Spoils of War”

The Taliban have declared the U.S. military weapons left in Afghanistan as spoils of war, following former President Donald Trump’s comments indicating he wants to retrieve these assets.

Quick Takes

The Taliban assert custodianship over $7 billion worth of U.S. military equipment left in Afghanistan.
Former President Trump wants to reclaim the U.S. arms and criticizes President Biden for the withdrawal.
Experts view the logistics of retrieving this equipment as complex and unlikely.
The Taliban indicate they intend to use the equipment to guard against foreign interventions.

Taliban’s Claim Over U.S. Arms

The Taliban regard the U.S. military hardware left in Afghanistan as “spoils of war,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, according to a Voice of America News report. They emphasize these weapons belong to the Afghan people and will be used defensively if foreign powers attempt reclaim efforts. This situation arises following the U.S. military’s chaotic withdrawal in August 2021, casting a long shadow over the decisions made during the evacuation.

Former President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to retrieve the weapons, directly criticizing President Joe Biden for allowing billions worth of military equipment to end up in the hands of the Taliban. Trump’s rhetoric suggests strong intentions to hold the Taliban accountable and recover U.S. assets.

Will Trump be able to retrieve billions of dollars worth of abandoned US military equipment from Taliban? https://t.co/LZgw04vxWW

— The Independent (@Independent) January 23, 2025

Logistical and Political Implications

Logistical challenges make the retrieval of the military equipment exceedingly complex. Experts highlight that moving such vast quantities of machinery requires detailed planning and international cooperation, which remains elusive. Former Afghan officials have reportedly dismissed Trump’s statements as unlikely to manifest due to the inherent political complications.

“To return it, just logistically, he will need to send a team to analyze and verify the equipment that is being discussed. His team will have to secure either some degree of overflight landing and agreements,” Randall, former country director for Afghanistan in the office of the secretary of defence for policy, indicated.

The Taliban’s strengthened international backing further complicates potential negotiations for equipment retrieval. This development underscores the geopolitical dynamics at play, making diplomatic engagement all the more important for the involved parties.

The Future of U.S. and Afghanistan Relations

Amidst this tension, the U.S. reportedly remains Afghanistan’s largest donor, providing humanitarian aid that, while significant, must be carefully managed to avoid aiding the Taliban inadvertently. As of now, the Taliban claim that no financial aid from the U.S. has been directly received since they assumed control.

While there remain concerns over punitive measures’ potential impact on counterterrorism cooperation, the Taliban’s outlook on enhancing relations with the U.S. and the international community persists, indicating an avenue for comprehensive dialogue.