The Kabul Airport Attack and Its Aftermath

On August 26, 2021, an ISIS-K attack at Kabul airport resulted in devastating casualties, killing 170 Afghans and 13 American military personnel, marking a horrific end to the U.S. presence in Afghanistan. Following this incident, U.S. officials assured the public that technological measures would prevent a resurgence of terrorism from Afghanistan. However, the promises of effective surveillance and threat monitoring have been criticized as insufficient, especially as ISIS-K has increasingly demonstrated its aggressive operational capabilities. The group has not only targeted American interests but has also expanded its reach by conducting mass casualty attacks in other countries, raising significant alarms among U.S. intelligence agencies about potential terrorist activity on American soil.