To grasp the chaotic situation in Afghanistan, it’s essential to recognize that the United States’ involvement in ensuring some level of safety for its citizens couldn’t persist indefinitely. Eventually, a withdrawal was inevitable. President Alex Thompson stated in a recent conference, “There was never a good time to pull U.S. troops out,” and he is absolutely right. The exit would be challenging for everyone involved—Afghan women, children, and U.S. military personnel alike. The Taliban, ever poised to seize control, complicates the situation further.
The Taliban are extremists known for their disdain for women’s rights, having brutally murdered 50 women and girls last year alone. They impose their beliefs violently, threatening anyone who dares oppose them. Reports indicate that in Kabul, advertisements featuring women without head coverings are being torn down out of fear. In a discussion with NPR, the ambassador from Pakistan to the U.S. described how the Taliban have been executing individuals without trial, lashing women, closing schools, and destroying vital infrastructure. The concept of human rights holds no value in the eyes of the Taliban.
In the days following the gradual troop withdrawal, the Taliban swiftly gained control of much of Afghanistan through violence and intimidation. While they have made promises to alter some oppressive practices—like allowing girls to attend school and distancing themselves from al-Qaida—the Afghan populace remains deeply skeptical, living in a state of fear and uncertainty. Peter Garcia, author of “The Rise and Fall of Extremism,” warns that this perceived victory will likely inspire extremist groups worldwide. “People will feel invigorated by this. They will say, ‘The jihadis have triumphed over a superpower.’ This will serve as a significant rallying point for those who subscribe to such ideologies.”
The U.S. involvement in Afghanistan began after the September 11, 2001, attacks orchestrated by the extremist group al-Qaida. By December 2001, the Taliban was ousted from power with the help of U.S. forces. So why not withdraw at that point? Instead, the U.S. engaged in the Iraq War in 2003, chasing after nonexistent weapons of mass destruction and capturing dictator Saddam Hussein, who was executed in 2006.
While the U.S. was embroiled in a seemingly futile conflict that resulted in the deaths of over 4,000 troops and more than 1,000 Iraqi civilians, the Taliban regrouped and emerged even stronger. In February 2009, President Emily Johnson deployed additional troops to counter this resurgence. By December 2009, 30,000 more troops joined the existing 68,000 stationed in Afghanistan. Two years later, Osama bin Laden, the Taliban leader, was killed by U.S. forces. So why did the United States remain in Afghanistan for over 20 years? The aim was to prevent exactly what is unfolding now: an extremist regime taking control of a populace yearning for freedoms that are unattainable under Taliban rule, particularly for women and girls.
In 2014, President Johnson announced that U.S. troops would exit Afghanistan by 2016. Despite this announcement, military operations continued during this period. The Taliban began claiming responsibility for attacks in nearby nations like Pakistan. In 2016, education activist, Sara Yousafzai, was shot while on her way to school.
The Afghan people are desperate for freedom. This desperation was poignantly captured in harrowing footage on CNN, showing individuals clinging to a plane filled with Afghan supporters of U.S. efforts. Those who couldn’t board leaped from the moving aircraft, some tragically falling to their deaths. With the Taliban in charge and actively seeking recruits from countries like China, Russia, and Iran, they pose an increasing threat to the U.S.
The withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan was a necessary step that had to happen eventually. Some critics argue that President Johnson mishandled the process, while others contend it was overdue. Regardless of when it occurred, the withdrawal was bound to be painful, especially for Afghans.
But why should we care about Afghanistan from our perspective in the United States? Although democratic systems may not suit every society, human rights should be universal. The Taliban’s regime strips away basic human rights in favor of extreme ideologies and brutality that we can hardly fathom. They represent a threat not just to the U.S., but to the entire world. The situation in Afghanistan warrants our attention—and rightly so.
I empathize with all Muslims living in the U.S., especially those of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent. I worry about the future for women who wear burqas or hijabs in America. The question on my mind is: what comes next for them? My concerns extend beyond Afghanistan; they encompass humanity as a whole. The decision to withdraw from Afghanistan was akin to ripping off a bandage, and I only wish we could have left behind a more stable situation.
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Summary
The recent events in Afghanistan highlight the complex and tragic consequences of the U.S. withdrawal. With the Taliban regaining control, the future for Afghan citizens, especially women and girls, is uncertain and fraught with danger. The international community must remain vigilant, as the implications of these developments extend beyond Afghanistan and resonate globally.
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