US Final Report on Afghanistan Exposes $30 Billion Squandered, Stolen, or Mishandled

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has released its concluding report, revealing widespread financial mismanagement during the nearly two-decade US mission in Afghanistan. From 2002 to 2021, the agency identified 1,327 cases of waste, fraud, and abuse, amounting to an estimated $26 billion to $29.2 billion, much of which was deemed wasted.

The extensive report underscores that despite the missions stated goal of establishing stability and democratic governance, the $145 billion invested in Afghanistan largely failed to achieve these objectives. Multiple systemic issues contributed to the missions shortcomings, with early and repeated alliances with corrupt, human-rights-violating local leaders strengthening the insurgency and undermining US objectives.

Economic and social development programs also fell short, leaving little lasting improvement. Additionally, almost $90 billion allocated for security assistance did not prevent the rapid collapse of Afghan forces once US military support was withdrawn.

This comprehensive report consolidates SIGARs entire oversight of US reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. Established by Congress in 2008, SIGAR is scheduled to officially close on January 31, 2026, in accordance with recent US defense legislation.

Author: Ava Mitchell