Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Afghanistan / Airport bombing highlights risk to U.S. troops in Afghanistan
Afghanistan

August 26, 2021

Airport bombing highlights risk to U.S. troops in Afghanistan

By Daniel Davis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 26, 2021
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, there was an explosion outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul where the U.S. is conducting its withdrawal and evacuation from Afghanistan. Defense Priorities Senior Fellow Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis issued the following statement in response:

“The explosion outside the Kabul airport is an ugly reminder of why leaving Afghanistan remains important. The U.S. was unable to prevent violence like this while having many more thousands of troops deployed, and there is no reliable way to prevent all such violence during and after this overdue withdrawal.

“It’s important not to lose sight of the big picture—the U.S. has successfully evacuated more than 100,000 people in the last month and should do everything possible to complete its exit from Afghanistan by August 31. It would add immeasurably to the tragedy if one more American is killed in this pointless war on the way out.”

Author

Photo of Daniel Davis

Daniel
Davis

Senior Fellow & Military Expert

Defense Priorities

More on Asia

In the mediaChina, Air power, Asia, Balance of power, Global posture, Land power, Naval power

What does China’s military gain from operating 2 aircraft carriers in second island chain?

Featuring Lyle Goldstein

June 13, 2025

op-edNorth Korea, Air power, Asia, Balance of power, Global posture, Land power, Naval power

Trump’s North Korea conundrum

By Daniel DePetris

June 12, 2025

In the mediaMilitary analysis, Asia, Naval power

Jennifer Kavanagh on BBC News: Review of AUKUS pact is warranted

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

June 11, 2025

op-edAsia

US-Korea alliance to change under Lee Jae-myung

By Daniel DePetris

June 10, 2025

op-edAsia

The US-ROK alliance will change under Lee Jae-myung

By Daniel DePetris

June 4, 2025

op-edChina, Asia, Taiwan

How big of a threat is China really?

By Daniel DePetris

June 3, 2025

Events on Afghanistan

See All Events
virtualAfghanistan, Middle East

Past Virtual Event: One year later: assessing the Afghanistan withdrawal

August 30, 2022
in-personCounterterrorism, Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East, Syria

Past In-Person Event: Ground truth about ground wars

November 5, 2019

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved