In series of mistakes, US said to have exaggerated military's numbers, introduced high-tech methods and systems beyond troops' capabilities, ignored high defection rate

Al Jazeera airs footage of Islamist fighters inside the palace, as Canada shuts its embassy and Germany begins evacuating diplomatic staff

Interior minister says transfer will be 'peaceful'; Afghan troops surrender at Bagram air base; American University employees burn documents to prevent identification of students

Militants are not known to have pilots or technical personnel needed to fly aircraft; Russian choppers also seen in footage; not clear if any of the helicopters are airworthy

Helicopters land at US Embassy; group has swept through the country, regaining control of wide swaths within days; American officials burn sensitive documents

Last-minute decision reflects dire state of country's security as Taliban seizes control of multiple cities in a few short days

Staff instructed to bring documents and equipment 'which could be misused in propaganda efforts' to incinerators, other disposal sites

US and Britain deploying thousands of troops to evacuate their citizens from capital as insurgents conquer more and more cities

Thousands of Afghans flee as insurgents press lightning offensive that is encircling Kabul; capital of Helmand province falls; Kandahar and Herat also taken

With capture of Badakhshan, Baghlan and Farah capitals, Islamist militia now controls of two-thirds of nation as US and NATO finalize their withdrawal after decades of war