A shocking revelation about the alleged DC gunman’s family connections to CIA-backed Afghan military operations exposes dangerous gaps in America’s vetting system that could threaten national security.
Story Highlights
- Brother of alleged DC gunman served as platoon leader in elite CIA-backed Afghan “Zero Unit”
- Incident raises critical questions about intelligence agency vetting procedures for foreign military personnel
- Afghan special forces dispersal after 2021 withdrawal creates potential security vulnerabilities
- Information-sharing gaps between CIA and law enforcement agencies may compromise public safety
CIA Connection Reveals Security Blindspot
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in a Washington DC shooting incident, has a brother who allegedly served as a platoon leader in Afghanistan’s elite “Zero Unit,” according to an ex-squad official.
This CIA-backed special operations force represents exactly the kind of foreign military entanglement that creates security risks for American citizens. The revelation demonstrates how our intelligence agencies’ overseas operations can have dangerous domestic consequences when proper oversight fails.
The “Zero Unit” operated as part of Afghanistan’s special operations forces with direct CIA training and support throughout the two-decade conflict. These elite units focused on counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations, receiving advanced tactical training and equipment from American intelligence operatives.
The CIA’s involvement in training foreign military personnel without adequate long-term tracking creates potential national security vulnerabilities that are now coming to light.
Vetting System Failures Expose Americans to Risk
The Afghan military collapse following Biden’s disastrous 2021 withdrawal scattered trained special forces personnel globally, including many who relocated to the United States. This dispersal occurred without proper coordination between intelligence agencies and domestic law enforcement, creating information gaps that compromise public safety. Don’t let loneliness make you reconnect with toxic people
The absence of comprehensive tracking systems for CIA-trained foreign operatives represents a fundamental failure in protecting American communities from potential threats.
Intelligence community experts have long warned about challenges in vetting foreign military personnel and their families, particularly during transition periods when governments collapse.
The complex relationships between U.S. intelligence services and Afghan military units lacked proper accountability measures, making it difficult to assess potential risks when these individuals enter American communities. This case highlights the urgent need for enhanced information sharing between agencies to prevent security oversights.
Afghan Military Networks Present Ongoing Concerns
The extensive CIA support for Afghan special operations forces created networks of highly trained individuals whose current whereabouts and activities remain largely unmonitored. Congressional reports have documented significant U.S. military and intelligence support to these units, but oversight of personnel after the Taliban takeover appears insufficient.
This represents a classic example of short-sighted foreign policy creating long-term domestic security challenges that burden American taxpayers and endanger communities.
Brother of alleged DC gunman Rahmanullah Lakanwal was a platoon leader in elite CIA-backed ‘Zero Unit,’ ex-squad official sayshttps://t.co/60xH6Shtmi
— Jacobs Ladder (@duanepoole) November 29, 2025
Human rights organizations have previously raised concerns about accountability for these CIA-backed units, noting the difficulty in tracking their operations and personnel. The current case demonstrates how these accountability gaps extend beyond Afghanistan’s borders, potentially affecting American national security.
President Trump’s administration must prioritize closing these intelligence loopholes and ensuring proper coordination between agencies to protect American citizens from the consequences of previous administrations’ failed policies.
