Public Hearing of the 1st Investigative Committee “Afghanistan”
11 November 2024, 08:04
Berlin, Germany
The 1st Investigative Committee “Afghanistan” held a public hearing today to examine the events surrounding Germany’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
The committee is tasked with investigating the decision-making process, the implementation of the withdrawal, and the consequences for Germany and its allies.
Witnesses Testified
Several witnesses testified at the hearing, including:
- Former Foreign Minister Heiko Maas
- Former Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
- Former Chief of Defense General Eberhard Zorn
- Former Ambassador to Afghanistan Markus Potzel
Key Evidence Presented
Key evidence presented at the hearing included:
- Diplomatic cables warning of a rapid Taliban takeover
- Military assessments predicting difficulties in evacuation
- Internal government documents outlining contingency plans
Key Findings
The committee’s preliminary findings, based on the testimony and evidence, suggest that:
- The government underestimated the speed and scale of the Taliban advance.
- The planning for the withdrawal was inadequate, leading to chaos and delays.
- The government failed to secure visas and safe passage for Afghan allies who were at risk.
- The withdrawal had a significant impact on Germany’s reputation and undermined trust among its allies.
Consequences and Recommendations
The committee concluded that the withdrawal was a failure and made several recommendations for preventing similar mistakes in the future. These included:
- Strengthening intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities.
- Improving coordination between government agencies and military forces.
- Developing robust contingency plans for evacuation.
- Addressing the concerns of allies and partners.
Ongoing Investigation
The 1st Investigative Committee “Afghanistan” will continue its investigation and is expected to issue a final report in the coming months. The findings of the investigation are expected to have a significant impact on future German foreign and security policy.
Öffentliche Zeugenvernehmung des 1. Untersuchungsausschusses „Afghanistan“
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