What U.S. Training Failed to Achieve in Afghanistan

America’s two decades in Afghanistan reshaped our military, our alliances, and our understanding of what it really takes to build a capable partner force. Few people saw that reality more clearly than LTG (Ret.) E. John Deedrick, the final commander of CSTC-A and one of the last senior leaders on the ground before the withdrawal.

Fran Racioppi sat down with General Deedrick to break down why Afghan forces struggled to operate without overwhelming air support, what years of U.S. sustainment created on the battlefield, and how those decisions influenced the collapse that followed. But the conversation goes far deeper than Afghanistan. They track the evolution of the Army, the pressures it faces today, and what its future requires from leaders, institutions, and policymakers.

They also dig into America’s alliances, why NATO still works, how the Russian–North Korean partnership is changing the fight in Ukraine, and what integrated deterrence really means in the Grey Zone. And with politics increasingly shaping military decision-making, General Deedrick offers a candid view on how senior leaders balance competing agendas while still trying to achieve the same mission: defend the nation.

Watch, listen, or read our conversation with a commander who’s seen the truth up close in combat, in NATO, and at the helm of America’s Special Forces. Episode 156: https://youtu.be/Am8nTPw7RKk?si=qvdEYW14DhrkBUs0

For centuries the United States has relied on its Army to protect and defend freedom across the world. We've held our soldiers to the highest standard and fought hard to protect those who protect us. Today, America's Army is under pressure from our adversaries abroad and the political divide at home.

Retired Lt. Gen. E. John Deedrick served as the final commander of the Combined Security Transition Command –Afghanistan (CSTC-A). He also held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Security Assistance (DCOS SA) at the Headquarters of Resolute Support; the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

He was the United States Military Representative to NATO. He commanded 1st Special Forces Command. Spent time as the Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict. Most importantly, at least to me, he was my commander at 10th Special Forces Group.

The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

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The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of our guests and creator and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy; nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

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