The Long-Awaited Homecoming: Examining The Return Of Troops From Afghanistan

The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan has been a complex and evolving issue, with decisions influenced by various factors and stakeholders. Former US President Donald Trump had expressed a desire to bring American troops home from Afghanistan, aiming for a complete withdrawal by the 2020 election day to bolster his campaign. However, military officials proposed a slower withdrawal schedule to avoid a repeat of abrupt pullouts from Syria in 2018 and 2019, which caused diplomatic chaos and violence. Trump's National Security Advisor, Robert O'Brien, confirmed the plan to reduce troops in Afghanistan to 2,500, while military leaders advised delaying the reduction due to the country's fragile state and stalled peace talks. The situation was further complicated by disagreements between administration officials, with conflicting statements and a war of words between Gen. Mark Milley and O'Brien.

In 2021, as the Taliban rapidly advanced across Afghanistan, the Biden administration deployed additional troops for a partial evacuation of the US Embassy in Kabul. Around 3,000 troops were sent to assist with security and the departure of embassy personnel, raising concerns about meeting the Aug 31 deadline for fully withdrawing combat forces. The situation continued to deteriorate, and Biden authorized 1,000 more troops, bringing the total to approximately 5,000, to ensure an orderly and safe drawdown. The complex dynamics and evolving security situation in Afghanistan have influenced the decisions and discussions around troop withdrawals.

Donald Trump's 2020 campaign promise to bring troops home from Afghanistan

In February 2020, former US President Donald Trump negotiated a withdrawal agreement with the Taliban, excluding the Afghan government. The agreement was set to bring an end to the US's longest war and bring troops home from Afghanistan.

The agreement included the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners held by the Afghan government, which was not a party to the agreement. Trump said that the withdrawal of US troops was contingent on the "Taliban's action against al-Qaeda and other terrorists who could threaten us". However, the Defense Department's inspector general's office reported that the Taliban continued to work with al-Qaeda.

In October 2020, Trump promised a swift exit of US troops from Afghanistan, causing confusion as the Pentagon indicated it had received no orders to alter plans for a conditions-based withdrawal. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien announced that the US would reduce its presence in Afghanistan to 2,500 by early 2021, contradicting Trump's tweet that all forces would be "home by Christmas!"

Trump's promise to bring troops home from Afghanistan was a key part of his 2020 re-election campaign. He had frequently promised to end what he believed to be the unnecessary burden of overseas commitments during his 2016 campaign and in his 2019 State of the Union address. However, despite his efforts, the number of troops deployed overseas remained roughly equivalent to the number he inherited following his inauguration.

Trump's approach to foreign policy and troop deployment has been described as transactional, with a focus on financial profit and loss rather than long-term strategic interests. His decisions on troop withdrawals were often made without consultation and announced via Twitter, catching both allies and his administration by surprise.

The Pentagon's plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan

The Pentagon has been involved in the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan since the Trump administration. In 2018, Trump ordered the Pentagon to draw up plans for a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, with options including a complete withdrawal. In 2020, the Trump administration and the Taliban signed the United States-Taliban deal, which provided for the withdrawal of all NATO forces from Afghanistan in return for the Taliban's counter-terrorism commitments. The deal stipulated an initial reduction of US forces from 13,000 to 8,600 troops by July 2020, followed by a complete withdrawal by May 2021.

The Biden administration continued the withdrawal process, and in April 2021, President Biden announced his intention to withdraw all regular US troops by September 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The withdrawal was accelerated, and US troops were set to be out by early to mid-July, ahead of the September deadline. The rapid withdrawal exposed complex problems that remained unresolved, including how to combat terrorist threats from afar and how to ensure security for Kabul's international airport.

In August 2021, as the Taliban captured more territories and cities, the Biden administration deployed additional troops to Afghanistan to assist in the evacuation of US citizens and embassy personnel. Around 3,000 troops were sent to Kabul Airport to facilitate the evacuations, and the total number of troops in Afghanistan was increased to 7,000. The last US military planes left Kabul airport on August 30, 2021, marking the end of the 20-year war in Afghanistan.

Following the withdrawal, there was criticism and backlash directed at the Biden administration for the flawed withdrawal process, which resulted in the Taliban takeover of the country. There were also concerns about the fate of Afghan citizens who had worked with the US military and the potential collapse of the Afghan government. The Biden administration continued to provide support to Afghan forces from a distance and worked towards evacuating remaining US citizens and at-risk Afghans.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan

The Rise of the Taliban

The Taliban, a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist movement with a strict interpretation of Islamic law, first came to power in Afghanistan in the 1990s. After being ousted by US-led forces in 2001, they regrouped and waged a twenty-year insurgency against the US-backed government.

The Fall of Afghan Security Forces

In the years leading up to the final US withdrawal, the Afghan security forces, despite billions of dollars in training and equipment from the US and its allies, struggled with corruption, low morale, and a lack of resources. As the Taliban advanced, entire units surrendered, and Kabul fell without significant resistance.

The US Withdrawal

The US had been attempting to withdraw from Afghanistan for several years, with President Trump initially announcing a plan to pull out troops and signing a deal with the Taliban. President Biden then committed to a complete withdrawal by the end of August 2021.

The Taliban's Rapid Advance

As the US withdrawal deadline approached, the Taliban launched a swift offensive, capturing major cities and provincial capitals in a matter of days. This rapid advance took US officials and the Taliban itself by surprise, and by mid-August 2021, they had entered Kabul, the last major urban area under government control.

The Impact of the Taliban Rule

Under Taliban rule, Afghanistan has seen a rollback of human rights, particularly for women and girls. The Taliban has imposed restrictions on education, employment, and freedom of movement for women, reminiscent of their previous rule in the 1990s. The country's economy has also floundered, with malnutrition soaring and hundreds of thousands of jobs lost.

International Response and Concerns

The international community has expressed concern over the Taliban's support for terrorist organizations, particularly al-Qaeda. The takeover has also led to a pause in aid, further exacerbating the country's economic and humanitarian crises. Many Western countries have refused to recognize the Taliban government and have shut down diplomatic offices in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has had far-reaching consequences, and the country continues to grapple with political, economic, and social challenges. The future remains uncertain, with ongoing negotiations and efforts to establish stability in the region.

The US Embassy in Kabul

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, has been the centre of operations for the U.S. in the region since it was established in 1942 and elevated to embassy status in 1948. The embassy was closed in 1989 due to safety concerns but reopened in 2002 after NATO forces overthrew the Taliban. A new compound was constructed in 2005.

In August 2021, the U.S. government evacuated some personnel from the embassy as the Taliban took control of the country. The Biden administration sent 3,000 troops to assist in the partial evacuation of the embassy, with the remaining staff urged to leave Afghanistan immediately. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021, and a core group of personnel are now working from the U.S. Embassy in Doha.

The State Department spokesman, Ned Price, insisted that the U.S. was not abandoning Afghanistan and that the embassy would continue to function. He stated that the reduction in civilian staff was due to security concerns and that the U.S. remained committed to an orderly transition of power to an inclusive Afghan government. The U.S. continues to use diplomatic, economic, political, and assistance tools to uphold the rights of Afghans and ensure the Taliban honours its commitments.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul continues to provide visa services and consular assistance to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan, although the security situation has impacted its ability to conduct business. The embassy remains partially staffed and functional, and there are ongoing discussions about relocating its operations to the Kabul airport.

The US's involvement in the war in Afghanistan

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 marked the first phase of what would become a 20-year-long war. The invasion consisted of American, British, Canadian, and Australian forces, with other countries providing logistical support. The American military presence in Afghanistan greatly bolstered the Northern Alliance, which had been locked in a losing fight with the Taliban during the Afghan Civil War.

The invasion made rapid progress, and the coalition captured Kabul on November 13, toppling the Taliban by December 17. However, most members of al-Qaeda and the Taliban were not captured, and during the Battle of Tora Bora, several fighters, including Osama bin Laden, escaped into neighboring Pakistan.

In the following years, the US continued its military presence in Afghanistan, training, advising, and assisting the Afghan military in their fight against the Taliban and ISIS. The US also carried out airstrikes against the Taliban and provided humanitarian aid to the Afghan people.

In February 2020, the US and the Taliban signed the Doha Agreement, which led to the withdrawal of US and Allied forces from Afghanistan by August 30, 2021. The US military departed the country a day ahead of schedule, ending a 20-year occupation and leaving Afghanistan in the hands of the Taliban.

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