The U.S. defense secretary called the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal a tragic disaster, blaming it for weakening America’s global position and influence.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has sharply criticized the Biden administration’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it a “tragic and catastrophic” failure that weakened America’s global standing. Speaking at a defense summit in Florida, Hegseth said the chaotic exit not only claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and 170 Afghan civilians but also emboldened adversaries worldwide.

According to Fox News, Hegseth claimed that the suicide bombing at Kabul airport during the evacuation was a direct result of poor political decisions. He further argued that the disorderly retreat signaled vulnerability, setting a precedent that ultimately encouraged Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

This line of reasoning echoes previous statements by President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly asserted that the Afghanistan withdrawal projected weakness that emboldened Vladimir Putin. Hegseth said, “If the Afghanistan disaster hadn’t happened, the Ukraine war likely wouldn’t have either.”

Hegseth confirmed that the Department of Defense will continue a full investigation into the withdrawal’s failures through 2026, aiming to hold decision-makers accountable. He emphasized that America’s global image suffered due to the withdrawal, especially among NATO allies and adversaries like China and Russia.

However, many analysts and critics argue that blaming the Afghanistan withdrawal for the Ukraine war oversimplifies the issue. Experts from institutions like the Council on Foreign Relations note that long-standing tensions between NATO and Russia, energy politics, and internal Russian dynamics played a far more direct role in Putin’s aggression.

Despite political rhetoric, a broader view suggests the Ukraine conflict had multiple geopolitical drivers. While the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan remains a contentious and painful chapter, attributing global conflicts solely to it lacks nuance.

As the Pentagon’s internal review continues, policymakers and scholars alike stress the need to learn from past military exits while recognizing the complexity of international security decisions.

The UN warns of a growing humanitarian crisis as up to 3 million Afghan migrants are expected to return from Iran and Pakistan by year’s end.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that by the end of this year, up to three million Afghan migrants could return from Iran and Pakistan—an exodus that could severely worsen the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Arafat Jamal, UNHCR representative in Afghanistan, stated during an online press briefing from Kabul on Friday, July 11, that over 1.6 million Afghans—mostly from Iran—have already returned to the country in recent months.

He described the return process as “disorderly, degrading, and large-scale,” adding that many families are arriving in Afghanistan exhausted, distressed, and without basic resources. Their return is placing intense pressure on already struggling local communities.

According to UN data, more than 30,000 individuals are crossing daily into Afghanistan through the Islam Qala border point alone. This mass return has overwhelmed border services and reception facilities.

In response, UNHCR and partner organizations have launched emergency measures to provide clean water, health services, nutrition, and vaccinations to thousands of returnees each day. These efforts aim to reduce the immediate risks faced by vulnerable returnees.

The UN refugee agency has stressed that without proper planning and resources, the situation could spiral further out of control, pushing thousands of families into deeper poverty and insecurity. UNHCR has appealed for urgent humanitarian support to manage the crisis effectively.

As the return influx continues, the international community faces growing pressure to scale up humanitarian funding and logistical support. Without it, Afghanistan could face a catastrophic increase in displacement, malnutrition, and health crises, especially among women and children.

Stabilizing the situation will require not only short-term aid but also long-term reintegration efforts to help returnees rebuild their lives. The UN has called on donor countries and regional partners to act quickly to prevent a worsening tragedy.

A U.S. federal court rejected delaying the end of Afghan TPS, placing thousands at risk of deportation and loss of work rights.

A U.S. federal court has rejected a request to delay the cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghan nationals living in the United States. This means that starting July 14, 2025, many Afghans may lose their work permits and face deportation.

The decision was made by Judge Theodore Chuang from the U.S. District Court in Maryland on July 10. He said that even though the legal case is still going on, Afghan TPS holders will not be allowed to keep their legal rights during this time.

This ruling affects about 11,700 Afghan migrants in the U.S. They were granted TPS after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, making it unsafe for them to return.

Immigrant rights groups challenged the government’s decision in court. They argue that ending TPS for Afghans is unfair and politically motivated. They say the government is ignoring the serious human rights problems in Afghanistan, especially for vulnerable groups.

Human rights defenders warn that sending Afghans—especially women and girls—back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is dangerous. Under Taliban rule, women have little access to education, jobs, or basic freedoms.

Reports by Human Rights Watch and the UN show that the Taliban’s treatment of women is so extreme that it amounts to “gender apartheid.” The situation in the country remains dangerous, with violence and oppression continuing.

Because of these risks, legal and human rights groups are urging the U.S. government and Congress to act quickly. They recommend extending humanitarian support or passing laws like the Afghan Adjustment Act to protect Afghan migrants. Without action, deported Afghans could face serious harm.