The Cipher Brief Open Source Report for Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Topping today’s episode: Top U.S. Military officials testified before the Senate Armed Services on Tuesday – saying they advised President Joe Biden earlier this year against a full withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. General Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, commander of US Central Command, said he recommended keeping 2,500 troops in the country. The generals’ remarks seem to contradict President Joe Biden’s comments in August that “no one” that he “can recall” advised him to maintain a military presence in the country.