INTERNACIONAL
Pentagon cracks open Biden’s botched Afghan withdrawal as sweeping report readies all the receipts
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EXCLUSIVE: A new Pentagon review of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan is set to declassify previously restricted materials from earlier investigations, reopening scrutiny of key decisions made during the Biden administration’s botched 2021 exit from the country.
The review will include interview transcripts, internal documents and prior findings that officials say were overclassified, according to Pentagon adviser Stu Scheller.
«We plan to declassify all of the documents that we source in this investigation — all the interview transcripts, all the previous investigations that the Biden administration did that have been overclassified,» Scheller told Fox News Digital. «We’re going to declassify all of it so that everyone can make assessments for themselves.»
Unlike earlier reviews that cataloged failures but stopped short of pinning down individual responsibility, this Pentagon effort is examining a broader set of records and conducting extensive interviews with both senior military leaders and rank-and-file troops — a scope officials say could reopen unanswered questions about who made the key decisions during the 2021 withdrawal.
«There will be accountability,» Scheller said.
GOLD STAR FATHER SAYS PRIOR AFGHANISTAN REVIEW SMELLED ‘LIKE A COVER-UP’ AS NEW LOOK EXAMINES MILLIONS OF DOCS
«We’ve talked to many people, all the key generals… and we also interviewed thousands of young service members,» Scheller told Fox News Digital of the report. «One of the things they said was that they didn’t feel like their experiences were validated.»
President Donald Trump has repeatedly blasted the previous Biden administration over the Abbey Gate tragedy that killed 13 U.S. service members, calling the 2021 withdrawal «a Biden disaster» and «the lowest point in the history of our country.» The administration in May 2025 ordered a new Pentagon review as part of what officials described as his push for accountability.
Scheller’s role in the review marks a striking reversal for a Marine officer who was previously punished after publicly criticizing the military’s handling of the withdrawal.
Then a lieutenant commanding an infantry training unit at Camp Lejeune, Scheller drew national attention in August 2021 after posting a viral video in uniform demanding accountability from senior leaders. He was relieved of command, placed in pretrial confinement and later pleaded guilty at a court-martial.
«I just felt like there wasn’t another voice that was going to advocate for the emperor’s not wearing clothes,» Scheller said. «I didn’t do it haphazardly.»
«God was with me on that one. I got through it. Here I am influencing the changes I originally pointed out.»
British and American security forces maintain order among Afghan evacuees inside Abbey Gate in Kabul on Aug. 25, 2021, during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. (Marcus Lam/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)
Previous investigations by Congress, the Pentagon and federal watchdogs identified a range of failures in planning and executing the withdrawal, including gaps in evacuation efforts, intelligence assessments and senior-level decision-making.
A Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee report found the State Department failed to develop a plan to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies despite mounting warnings that Kabul could fall, delaying evacuation efforts until the Taliban entered the capital.
The report also said U.S. officials were tracking credible threats of a suicide attack in the days leading up to the Abbey Gate bombing — including intelligence pointing to a potential ISIS-K attack at the airport — but operations at the gate continued.
Those conditions are now being reexamined as part of the Pentagon’s review, including how actions by Marines on the ground were recognized.
FORMER ARMY CAPTAIN WARNS DEMS’ ‘UNPATRIOTIC’ VIDEO TELLING TROOPS TO DEFY ORDERS COULD SPARK CHAOS
Scheller said his team focused early on the unit stationed at Abbey Gate, where several Marines had been nominated for higher awards that were later downgraded during the approval process.
«They had actually submitted awards that were downgraded. So we didn’t create these awards out of nothing,» Scheller said. «All seven of these awards were submitted and we had the formal paperwork from the original write-up.»
Evacuees wait to board a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 23. (Sgt. Isaiah Campbell/U.S. Marine Corps)
The upgrades affected Marines from Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, including cases where commendation medals were elevated to include valor devices and, in one instance, a Bronze Star was upgraded to reflect combat heroism.
The bombing at Abbey Gate killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 150 Afghans, marking the deadliest day for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in years.
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The Biden administration has defended its handling of the withdrawal, arguing the decision ended America’s longest war and prevented further U.S. casualties, while accusing critics of politicizing the issue.
A spokesperson for former President Joe Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
afghanistan, pentagon, marines, investigations, bombings
INTERNACIONAL
Irán dilata nuevas reuniones con Estados Unidos e insiste en arancelar el paso por estrecho de Ormuz: se reunió con Omán
Irán informó este lunes que sostuvo su primera reunión con Omán en el marco del comité conjunto creado para definir la futura administración del estrecho de Ormuz, al mismo tiempo que negó que vaya a celebrar en los próximos días ningún encuentro con representantes de Estados Unidos, como habían adelantado medios estadounidenses.
La cancillería iraní confirmó que delegados de Omán e Irán se reunieron en Mascate para “intercambiar puntos de vista” sobre la “futura gestión” de esa vía marítima, clave para el comercio mundial de hidrocarburos. El encuentro corresponde a la primera sesión del Comité Conjunto de Ormuz, que ambos países habían anunciado la semana pasada con el objetivo de alcanzar un acuerdo sobre la administración del estrecho, por donde antes de la guerra transitaba el 20% de los hidrocarburos que se consumen a nivel mundial.
El encuentro en Mascate se produjo después de que Irán y Estados Unidos interrumpieran sus ataques mutuos, según informó Washington. Un funcionario estadounidense anunció el domingo que “ambas partes se abstendrán por ahora y los buques podrán transitar libremente” por el estrecho, y agregó que hay “conversaciones técnicas programadas para continuar sobre todas las áreas del memorándum de entendimiento” firmado el 17 de junio para poner fin a la guerra en Oriente Medio.
La pausa llegó tras un fin de semana de hostilidades: acusando a Irán de haber atacado dos barcos la semana pasada, Estados Unidos bombardeó el sábado la república islámica, y Teherán respondió el domingo con ataques contra Kuwait y Barhrein, países del Golfo que albergan bases estadounidenses. Esos cruces pusieron en vilo el memorando de entendimiento y elevaron la tensión justo antes de la reunión técnica con Omán.
Pese a la confirmación del diálogo con Omán y al anuncio sobre el cese de hostilidades, la diplomacia iraní fue tajante al negar cualquier reunión prevista con representantes de Estados Unidos. La aclaración llegó luego de que medios estadounidenses reportaran que delegados iraníes y estadounidenses se encontrarían este martes en Qatar para abordar específicamente la situación del estrecho.
El mismo funcionario estadounidense que confirmó la tregua no confirmó la versión sobre un encuentro bilateral esta semana en Qatar, algo que Irán terminó de despejar al negarlo de forma explícita.
El trasfondo de ambas conversaciones —con Omán y la negada con Estados Unidos— es la disputa sobre la soberanía y administración del estrecho. Irán lleva semanas sosteniendo que el funcionamiento de Ormuz no volverá a ser como antes de la guerra, cuando era gratuito, una postura a la que se opone Washington. Tanto Irán como Omán reivindican su soberanía sobre la vía y se plantean imponer tasas por su utilización, pese a que la Convención de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Derecho del Mar —que Teherán no ratificó— garantiza un derecho de “paso en tránsito” en los estrechos usados para la navegación internacional.
El estrecho fue reabierto la semana pasada, tras permanecer cerrado por Irán desde el inicio de la guerra, el 28 de febrero, con los ataques conjuntos de Estados Unidos e Israel. Irán insiste en que los buques deben circular por un corredor cercano a sus propias costas, aunque esta semana decenas de embarcaciones optaron por el lado opuesto del canal, pegado al litoral omaní. El ministro de Exteriores iraní, Abás Araqchi, reiteró el domingo que solo Irán es “responsable” de la gestión del estrecho y advirtió que adoptar medidas distintas “solo conducirá a situaciones más complicadas y a retrasos en la reapertura” de Ormuz.
Las negociaciones se dan en un clima de tensión militar latente: acusando a Irán de haber atacado dos barcos la semana pasada, Estados Unidos bombardeó el sábado la república islámica, y Teherán respondió el domingo con ataques contra Kuwait y Baréin, países del Golfo que albergan bases estadounidenses, en hostilidades que pusieron en vilo el memorando de entendimiento firmado el 17 de junio.
Middle East
US sends rescue crews to Venezuela after twin earthquakes devastate nation
U.S. search and rescue teams, supported by military assets, are deployed to Venezuela following two devastating earthquakes. The disaster has resulted in at least 920 fatalities and 51,000 missing persons, with over 3,300 injured. The U.N. also dispatches 1,000 emergency workers to assist in the overwhelmed nation’s recovery efforts.
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The U.S. military has been working to assist in Venezuela after the South American nation was rocked by deadly earthquakes last week.
«At the direction of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), U.S. military capabilities continue arriving in Venezuela today to support ongoing U.S. earthquake relief efforts requested by the Venezuelan government and led by the U.S. State Department,» SOUTHCOM said in a Sunday press release regarding the relief efforts.
«SOUTHCOM operations are completely self-sustaining, with personnel on the ground requiring zero local resources as they work tirelessly to deliver critical relief to the people of Venezuela,» SOUTHCOM noted.
Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez indicated Sunday that the death toll from the earthquakes had reached 1,450.
AMERICAN RESCUE TEAMS PULL INFANT ALIVE FROM RUBBLE IN VENEZUELA DAYS AFTER DEVASTATING TWIN EARTHQUAKES
A U.S. military V-22 Osprey aircraft lands in Caraballeda, La Guaira state, Venezuela, on June 27, 2026, as part of rescue operations following earthquakes. (Federico PARRA / AFP via Getty Images)
«Marines on the ground, saving lives,» SOUTHCOM declared in a Sunday post on X.
«U.S. Marines in Venezuela are supporting U.S. and international first responders during search and rescue efforts in areas hardest-hit by the earthquakes,» the post, which included several photos, continued.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLEDGES $150M IN AID, DEPLOYS NAVY WARSHIPS AFTER DEADLY VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKES
«The @DeptofWar continues to work closely with the @StateDept to support earthquake relief efforts and deliver assistance to the Venezuelan communities of greatest need. At the direction of #SOUTHCOM, U.S. military forces are supporting U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela in the aftermath of the June 24, 2026, earthquakes,» the post noted.
ARGENTINE SOCCER PLAYER LUCAS TREJO LOSES WIFE, TWO CHILDREN IN VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE BUILDING COLLAPSE: REPORT
First responders aid a U.S. Marine climbing through rubble amid a search for survivors following earthquakes in Venezuela. (U.S. Southern Command on X)
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«Racing against the clock to save lives in Venezuela: First responders assist a U.S. Marine climbing through rubble during a search for survivors in earthquake-damaged structures,» SOUTHCOM wrote in a different post on X. «Operating day and night, these crews continue to support international search and rescue operations across the hardest-hit communities.»
disasters us, us marines, military, south america, world
INTERNACIONAL
Mamdani-backed socialists look to take New York playbook nationwide after primary victories
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Hours after their ballot box victories in a handful of congressional primaries in New York City, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) set their sights west.
«Today, the East Coast, next week the Mountain West,» the DSA wrote in a social media post last week.
The post came after DSA-aligned Darializa Avila Chevalier, a 32-year-old far-left community organizer, ousted incumbent Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair, and state Assembly Member Claire Valdez, another socialist, won a congressional primary by beating an establishment-backed candidate.
The victories by Chevalier and Valdez, who were heavily supported by socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, further emboldened the far left as it takes on the center-left establishment in a high-stakes battle for the future of the Democratic Party.
VICTORIES BY MAMDANI-BACKED CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES SPOTLIGHTS GROWING RIFT IN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Congressional candidate Claire Valdez, congressional candidate Brad Lander, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier raise their hands during a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rally at King’s Theater on June 18, 2026, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The DSA is now looking to replicate its playbook across the country, starting Tuesday in the Democratic primary in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, a solidly blue seat anchored in Denver that then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried by a whopping 56 points in the 2024 election.
Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette, who was first elected to Congress three decades ago, is facing two primary challenges, including DSA-backed Melat Kiros, a first-time candidate and former attorney born four months after DeGette first took office.
Kiros, who lost her job as a lawyer in New York after writing an essay critical of Israel, is also supported by Justice Democrats, the nearly decade-old political group known for heavily supporting «Squad» members Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib as they toppled entrenched incumbents in their initial elections to Congress.
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Democratic congressional candidate Melat Kiros participated in a League of Women Voters Congressional District 1 candidate forum at Montview Presbyterian Church on May 28, 2026, in Denver. (RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
«ELECT ANOTHER SOCIALIST TO CONGRESS ON JUNE 30TH,» a DSA social media post states as it urges supporters to lend a hand to the Kiros campaign.
The far left is also training its firepower in two high-profile statewide Democratic primaries in early August in key battleground states: the Senate showdown in Michigan and Wisconsin’s gubernatorial contest.
DSA-aligned Abdul El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director who unsuccessfully ran for governor eight years ago, is one of three major candidates trying to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
LURCHING LEFT: MAMDANI-BACKED CANDIDATES OUST ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., stands with Senate candidate in Michigan Abdul El-Sayed after speaking at Mumford High School on May 3, 2026, in Detroit. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images)
And Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong is on the rise among a crowded field of candidates in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
«It’s a great day to be a democratic socialist,» the DSA-aligned Hong posted on X last week. «Wisconsin is next!»
Mamdani’s stunning Democratic mayoral primary victory a year ago sent political shockwaves across the country and cemented the DSA as a major political force.
A year later, Mamdani’s kingmaker status was further enhanced by last week’s results in New York City. Possibly looking to the national stage, the mayor said, «My goal is to make America a place that every American can afford.»
Democratic strategist Joe Caiazzo, a veteran of progressive champion Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, told Fox News Digital, «Some of the DSA and the majority of the left wing of the Democratic Party appear to be the only ones truly engaging in a conversation about economic populism in a period where costs continue to soar, and there is seemingly no plan from anyone in Washington to rectify that problem. You can see why it’s appealing.»
BERNIE SANDERS, DSA REVEAL DEMANDS FOR DEM PARTY AFTER SOCIALISTS SWEEP NEW YORK ELECTIONS
It’s not just strategists from the progressive wing of the party that acknowledge the increasing power of the far left.
Matt Bennett, one of the leaders at the Third Way, a leading center-left Democratic organization, noted, «There is enormous energy around the far left in very, very blue places, like New York City» and that «they are succeeding in their mission to oust incumbents or mainstream Democrats from blue seats and make them bluer.»
But outside what has been labeled New York City’s «commie corridor,» which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens, where voters in recent years have consistently backed far-left and socialist candidates, more mainstream Democrats prevailed in Tuesday’s primaries.
In the high-profile showdown to succeed retiring longtime Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler in Manhattan, former Nadler staffer Micah Lasher came out on top.
Miles north of New York City in the state’s swing 17th Congressional District, Army veteran Cait Conley won the primary and will challenge GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in a key midterm contest that is one of a handful which will determine if Republicans hold the slim House majority.
Combat veteran and Democratic congressional nominee Cait Conley, left, is challenging GOP Rep. Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th District, a key swing seat in this year’s midterm elections. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images)
In Utah, former Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams defeated progressive rivals to win the primary in the newly redrawn and blue-leaning 1st Congressional District. In Maryland, just outside of Washington D.C., in the race to succeed longtime Rep. Steny Hoyer, Adrian Boafo, who was supported by Hoyer, topped a crowded and diverse Democratic primary field.
And in South Carolina, Nancy Lacore, a former Navy admiral who was fired by War Secretary Pete Hegseth, won the Democratic primary in a Republican-leaning district Democrats had hopes of flipping.
Bennett said the New York City races grabbing outsized attention «are not representative districts, and it remains the case that the far left, in the Trump era, has failed to flip a single seat in Congress from red to blue, House or Senate.»
«They’re doing nothing to put a check on Trump or get power back,» he argued. «And in fact, they’re making it harder, because they’re handing Republicans very potent ammunition to use against Democrats in swing districts the way the GOP used ‘defund the police’ very effectively in 2020.»
Veteran center-left Democratic strategist Matt Corridoni, who advises the political groups The Bench and Majority Democrats, said, «I think if we’re only focusing on New York we’re missing the forest through the trees.»
Corridoni said, «There are dozens of examples across the country of these sort of purple reddish districts where we’re getting candidates who are tapping into the energy that voters are feeling right now.»
Despite the success of center-left candidates, it’s the far-left that’s grabbing the media spotlight.
And that’s giving Republicans more ammunition as they portray all Democrats as radicals.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a news conference in Manhattan. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Since Mamdani’s shocking Democratic mayoral primary win a year ago, Republicans have used him as a cudgel as they work to hold their razor-thin House majority in this year’s midterm elections.
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National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella argued, «Zohran Mamdani’s socialist brand is as toxic as it comes.»
Pointing to Tuesday’s results, Marinella charged that «it was the night the Democrat establishment officially surrendered to Zohran Mamdani and the socialist wing of their party. Every House Democrat, in safe and competitive districts alike, will now answer to the radicals calling the shots. And Americans should be terrified by where the Democrat Party is headed.»
midterm elections, zohran mamdani, democratic party, socialism, elections, politics
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