US Defence Bill Expands Support for Afghanistan War Review Commission

The United States Congress has approved new provisions related to Afghanistan in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, strengthening the mandate, funding flexibility, and operational capacity of the Afghanistan War Commission, a body established to review America’s two-decade-long war in Afghanistan.

Under the legislation, Congress has expanded non-reimbursable support for the Afghanistan War Commission, allowing the US Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies to directly provide administrative services, funds, staff, facilities, and logistical support without requiring repayment. The move is intended to accelerate the Commission’s work and remove bureaucratic hurdles that previously slowed its operations .

Contracting Authority Strengthened

The NDAA 2026 also grants new contracting authority to the Commission’s co-chairpersons. This enables the Afghanistan War Commission to independently enter into contracts, subject to appropriations, to hire experts, commission research, and obtain technical services needed to fulfil its mandate .

Lawmakers say this step is critical for ensuring a comprehensive and independent review of US military, intelligence, and political decisions that shaped the Afghanistan conflict from 2001 to 2021.

Why It Matters

The Afghanistan War Commission was created in 2021 following the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the return of the Taliban to power. Its task is to assess:

• Strategic decision-making across multiple US administrations
• Military planning and execution
• Intelligence failures and inter-agency coordination
• The broader costs of the war, including regional and global implications

By enhancing support and autonomy for the Commission, Congress is signaling renewed commitment to accountability and institutional learning from what remains America’s longest war.

Broader Context

The Afghanistan-related clauses are part of a wider NDAA package that covers global security priorities, but these provisions stand out as one of the few sections directly addressing the legacy of the Afghanistan war rather than current conflicts. Analysts note that the expanded authorities suggest Congress wants the Commission’s final report to be thorough, independent, and difficult to ignore when shaping future US foreign and defence policy.

The Commission is expected to submit its findings to both Congress and the President once its review is complete, potentially influencing how Washington approaches future military interventions and post-conflict exits.