'Surprised'

I largely agree, but on this? This was very predictable. I think it boils down to more of this being a game of political hot potato and every high-up decision maker kept trying to pass it along hoping it wouldn't explode in their hands. And then it blew up, just at the gate and among our troops.

For now, they are concluding 'blame the Taliban, personal responsibility avoided. Hooray!' But this kind of song and dance can't last. This is worse than incompetence, this should be treason for sake of dereliction of duty.

EDIT: Just want to add that the reports coming out about the State Department and higher level military interfering with and outright blocking private group's attempts to get people out and help points to something more nefarious going on behind the scenes than mere bungling.