Afghanistan Transparency Act

To direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct annual reports and briefings regarding oversight of Afghanistan, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Afghanistan Transparency Act 2. Reports and briefings regarding oversight of Afghanistan (a) Reports Not later than December 31, 2021, and annually thereafter until December 31, 2026, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on Afghanistan. Such report shall address, with respect to Afghanistan, the following matters: (1) A current assessment of over-the-horizon capabilities of the United States. (2) Concept of force with respect to the over-the-horizon force of the United States. (3) The size of such over-the-horizon force. (4) The location of such over-the-horizon force, to include the current locations of the forces and any plans to adjust such locations. (5) The chain of command for such over-the-horizon force. (6) The launch criteria for such over-the-horizon force. (7) Any plans to expand or adjust such over-the-horizon force capabilities in the future, to account for evolving terrorist threats in Afghanistan. (8) An assessment of the terrorist threat in Afghanistan. (9) An assessment of the quantity and types of U.S. military equipment remaining in Afghanistan, including an indication of whether the Secretary plans to leave, recover, or destroy such equipment. (10) Contingency plans for the retrieval or hostage rescue of United States citizens located in Afghanistan. (11) Contingency plans related to the continued evacuation of Afghans who hold special immigrant visa status under section 602 of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 (12) A concept of logistics support to support the over-the-horizon force of the United States, including all basing and transportation plans. (13) An assessment of changes in the ability of al-Qaeda and ISIS–K to conduct operations outside of Afghanistan against the United States and U.S. allies. (14) An intelligence collection posture of over-the-horizon intelligence assets, including with respect to ground and air assets, and the effect of such assets on current operations. (15) An intelligence collection posture on the Taliban defense and security forces. (16) An intelligence collection posture on the terrorism capabilities of the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and ISIS–K. (17) The status of any military cooperation between the Taliban and China, Russia, or Iran. (18) Any other matters the Secretary determines appropriate. (b) Briefings Not later than December 31, 2021, and on bi-annual basis thereafter until December 31, 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on the matters specified in subsection (a). (c) Form The reports and briefings under this section may be submitted in either unclassified or classified form, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (d) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees (1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

Summary: Afghanistan Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to report to Congress on U.S. military capability, intelligence, and command matters concerning Afghanistan. The bill specifies the matters that must be included in the report, including a current assessment of over-the-horizon capabilities to address terrorist threats. The bill also requires DOD to provide biannual briefings through December 31, 2026, on the matters included in the report.