* Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday
* The appearance marks the first time the Pentagon leaders have publicly testified since the U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan
* The two leaders will then testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday
* Gen. Frank McKenzie, who as head of Central Command oversaw the withdrawal, will testify as well
* The leaders are expected to face sharp questions about the chaotic pullout and whether they anticipated the Taliban's rapid takeover of the country
The nation's top military commander told senators on Tuesday that U.S. credibility had been 'damaged by President Biden's hasty exit from Afghanistan.
In his first congressional testimony on the withdrawal, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said his view had long been that leaving the country, without meeting specific conditions, would likely lead to the collapse of the Afghan armed forces and government.
Milley was speaking alongside the secretary of defense and the top U.S. commander in the region at the start of two days of intense questioning about the tumultuous withdrawal.
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More News On Today's Senate Hearings With Top Pentagon Officials
Live Updates: Top military leaders testify on Afghanistan for first time since withdrawal -- CNN
Milley defends China calls and says ‘I am certain Trump did not intend to attack the Chinese’ – live -- The Guardian
Austin, Milley and McKenzie Testify: Senate Armed Services Committee Live Updates -- New York Times
Joint Chiefs chairman calls Afghan war a "strategic failure" -- AP
Afghan army collapse 'took us all by surprise,' U.S. defense secretary -- Reuters
Top Pentagon officials contradict Biden on Afghanistan advice -- Politico
Top generals contradict Biden, say they advised leaving 2,500 troops in Afghanistan -- The Hill
Top generals contradict Biden, say they urged him not to withdraw from Afghanistan -- Politico
Milley, McKenzie say they recommended 2,500 troops stay in Afghanistan, after Biden claims he was never told -- FOX News
Pentagon brass reveal Biden ignored troop recommendations on Afghanistan -- Washington Examiner
Austin, Milley Insist No One Foresaw Kabul’s Quick Fall; Some Senators Are Dubious -- Defense One
Afghanistan: Al-Qaeda could threaten US in a year - US general -- BBC