Before we can grasp the current situation in Afghanistan, it’s crucial to recognize that the United States’ involvement in stabilizing the region was never meant to be permanent. Eventually, a withdrawal was inevitable. President Roberts stated during a press conference, “There was never a convenient time to pull out U.S. forces,” and he is entirely right. Leaving a war-torn nation is never straightforward; it poses challenges for Afghan women, children, and U.S. troops, especially with the Taliban poised to take action.
The Taliban are an extremist group notorious for their oppressive views towards women. Last year alone, they were responsible for the deaths of 50 women and girls. They impose their beliefs through violence and suppress anyone who opposes them, including minorities and those of diverse faiths. In Kabul, advertisements depicting women without head coverings have been removed, reflecting the fear of retribution. According to a statement from the Pakistani ambassador to the U.S., the Taliban have been executing individuals, inflicting corporal punishment on women, and closing schools. Human rights hold no value for the Taliban.
In recent days, as U.S. forces have gradually withdrawn, the Taliban have seized control of a significant portion of Afghanistan through violent means. While they claim to have made commitments to allow girls to attend school and sever ties with al-Qaida, the Afghani populace remains skeptical and enveloped in fear. Peter Johnson, author of “The Rise and Fall of Extremism,” suggests that this perceived victory will inspire extremist groups globally. “People will rally around this, believing the jihadists have triumphed over a superpower,” he warns.
The conflict traces back to the September 11, 2001, attacks orchestrated by al-Qaida, leading to a U.S. military response that ousted the Taliban by December 2001. However, the question remains: why did we stay beyond that point? The U.S. shifted its focus to Iraq in 2003 under the pretext of seeking weapons of mass destruction, which were never located, and capturing dictator Saddam Hussein, who was executed in 2006.
During this prolonged engagement, more than 4,000 U.S. soldiers and over 1,000 Iraqi civilians lost their lives, while the Taliban regrouped in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, emerging even stronger. In 2009, President Roberts dispatched additional troops to Afghanistan to counter this resurgence, leading to the deployment of 30,000 extra soldiers by late 2009.
The question persists: why did the U.S. remain in Afghanistan for over two decades? The aim was to prevent the very scenario unfolding now: an extremist group seizing power and denying freedoms to a populace longing for liberty, particularly for women and girls.
In 2014, President Roberts announced plans for troop withdrawal by 2016, yet U.S. military operations continued, even as the Taliban claimed responsibility for attacks in neighboring countries, such as Pakistan. The world was stunned when education activist Malala Yousafzai was shot on her way to school in 2016.
The desire for freedom is palpable among the Afghan people. Disturbing footage has surfaced of individuals clinging to planes filled with those who supported U.S. efforts, desperate to escape the impending Taliban rule. Some tragically fell to their deaths as they attempted to board.
With the Taliban’s resurgence, they are actively seeking recruits from nations like China, Russia, and Iran, posing an increasing threat to the U.S. The withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan was unavoidable, though opinions differ on how it was handled, and whether it should have occurred sooner. Regardless of timing, the fallout is challenging for everyone, especially the Afghan citizens.
But why should we, in the United States, care about the events unfolding in Afghanistan? Although democratic systems may not suit every culture, human rights are universal. The Taliban’s oppressive rule strips away fundamental rights, replacing them with extreme ideologies and brutality. Their influence extends beyond Afghanistan, posing a global threat. The world is watching the situation closely, and rightly so.
My heart goes out to the Muslim community in the United States, to Middle Eastern and South Asian men, and to women who wear burqas or hijabs. What lies ahead for them here? I am concerned for humanity, both in Afghanistan and within our own borders. We had to face the reality of leaving Afghanistan eventually; I just wish we had left behind a more favorable situation.
If you’re interested in supporting those affected, consider contributing to organizations like No One Left Behind or the International Refugee Assistance Project.
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In summary, the current turmoil in Afghanistan is rooted in a long history of military intervention and the struggle for human rights against an oppressive regime. The international community must pay attention to these developments, as they not only impact the Afghan people but also pose broader threats on a global scale.
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