CSS Notes > Discuss the rapid US withdrawal from Afghanistan and revival of Taliban control.
Introduction
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan back in 2001 with enormous might but, they took a shameful flight home after nearly 20 years. US and its allies made a sudden and rapid move to withdraw from Afghanistan which they failed to make a modern developing country. The withdrawal was soon exploited by the ever strong Taliban regime who now have established their firm government in Kabul.
US-led Invasion of Afghanistan
Afghanistan was being ruled by Taliban – a group of revolutionaries which took control of Kabul in 1996 following years’ long civil war. They were also host of Al-Qaeda – a militant outfit led by Osama Bin Laden. Following the attacks of 9/11, US pressured Taliban regime to hand over Bin Laden which they refused thus leading to a full fledged invasion of Afghanistan. It took the US a few months to take control of the Kabul but it never in 20 years of stay conquered more than half of the Afghan land. Taliban became guerilla fighters to resist the foreign invasion at every cost. They kept control of a major part of the country. This war affected and altered the foreign policies, economies and political aspects of almost every considerable nation in South Asia as well as the whole world.
Rapid US Withdrawal
Wars cost enormously. They cost in terms of lives as well as economy. Even the most powerful state cannot continue a war for long without paying anything. US was in Afghanistan but it never sought proper control of this country. It was facing serious challenge from Taliban fighters which gradually became intense. President Obama began to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan. Later on, President Trump and President Biden rapidly moved the US soldiers out of Afghanistan. Ultimately, in 2021, the US left Afghan land on its own without giving a plan to save the lives and properties of Afghan people. The weak government at Kabul proved a weaker than expected in front of the Taliban.
Taliban’s Take Over
As soon as the US left Kabul, the Taliban took over Afghanistan. It was a swift and unchallenged move. Not even the US trained Afghan Security Forces could halt the way of Taliban. They reached Kabul within days and declared their government. The takeover was seen a complete success of Taliban and shameful failure of the US and its allies who controlled Afghanistan for two decades but left it in extreme crisis specifically regarding the human rights conditions. Taliban established their government with a reformed ambition. They are now posing themselves as a body that really want to govern and change Afghanistan.
Conclusion
Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan was swift and the US withdrawal was quiet rapid. In such scenario, the Afghan people are still suffering in terms of human rights and hunger. International community needs to recognize Taliban government and work with it for the good of Afghans. In any case otherwise, Afghanistan will once again be center of terrorism.