On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti Wasted money, effort and opportunity in Afghanistan
Dec 11, 2025
John Sopko, the former Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, shares his insights on the staggering waste of U.S. aid in Afghanistan. He reveals how billions were lost due to corruption and mismanagement, including a tale of unusable G222 aircraft. Sopko expresses frustration over the lack of accountability and highlights the grim impact on Afghan women and allies left vulnerable after withdrawal. He stresses that lessons from past conflicts remain unlearned, warning that future aid risks diverting to the Taliban.
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Deadly Planes Left To Rust
- John Sopko described 20 aging G222 aircraft bought for Afghanistan that proved unsafe and largely unusable.
- Sixteen were later sold for scrap, returning about $32,000 of a $486 million program.
Infrastructure Built For Deadlines Not Needs
- A $335 million power plant sat idle, operating at less than 1% capacity due to poor planning and mismatch with local needs.
- Fast timelines and promotion incentives drove spending quickly rather than ensuring long-term usefulness.
Equip Teams And Slow Down Timelines
- Build realistic timelines and equip teams with proper procurement, HR, and planning tools before launching complex, long-term nation-building efforts.
- Avoid short rotations and reward sustained results over rapid spending.