America spent billions training Afghan troops. Some get to America and just disappear.

The United States has spent some $60 billion over the last 14 years to train and equip Afghan troops, bringing 2,200 of them to learn at military bases in America since 2007. But in the last two years, Reuters reports, 44 of those Afghan soldiers have simply disappeared after arriving in the U.S. Eight have gone missing since the beginning of September alone, presumably seizing their chance to start a new life in America.

"The Defense Department is assessing ways to strengthen eligibility criteria for training in ways that will reduce the likelihood of an individual Afghan willingly absconding from training in the U.S. and going AWOL (absent without leave)," said Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump of the disappearances, which an unnamed Defense Department official labeled "out of the ordinary" and a cause for worry.

It is unclear how many of the missing troops have been located. Reuters notes one was caught trying to enter Canada, but that the Pentagon has been mum on the others' fate. Defections are likely motivated by low morale in the Afghan army, substantial Taliban gains after more than a decade of fighting, and a shot at greater economic opportunity.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up