'Took us by surprise:' Pentagon chief, top US Gen testify on Taliban takeover

• More than a month after the Taliban takeover, US military leaders testify before the Senate on the Afghanistan collapse. US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, top generals Mark Milley & Kenneth Mckenzie testified to the Senate armed services committee. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin acknowledged the Taliban's rapid takeover took US military leaders by surprise. The Pentagon chief also admitted to the fact that the Doha deal had demoralised Afghan soldiers fighting Taliban. Top US army general Mark Milley claimed that he had advised President Biden to deploy 2,500 troops in Afghanistan. Gen Milley's claim contradicts earlier comments from Biden on retaining a troop presence in Afghanistan.