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Hegseth Faces Backlash Over NATO Allies’ Afghanistan Deaths

By Drooid · Oct 20, 2026, 2:55 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said only one or two NATO allies conducted kinetic operations near Afghanistan’s end.
Retired Gen. Ben Hodges called the remarks shameful and cited more than 1,000 allied deaths.
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham condemned the comments, noting 457 British deaths.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski urged Hegseth to address families of 44 Polish soldiers.

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Story summary

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said only one or two NATO allies conducted kinetic operations near Afghanistan’s end.
Retired Gen. Ben Hodges called the remarks shameful and cited more than 1,000 allied deaths.
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Andy Burnham condemned the comments, noting 457 British deaths.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski urged Hegseth to address families of 44 Polish soldiers.