Left Behind: The Plight Of Troops Stranded In Afghanistan

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has been a long and arduous process. While the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan officially ended in August 2021, there are still Americans and U.S. troops' family members who remain stuck in the country. The Biden administration had promised to evacuate all U.S. citizens and allies before the withdrawal, but this was not achieved. Now, the U.S. government is facing the challenge of facilitating the evacuation of those left behind through diplomatic means, with the help of other countries and private groups.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the evacuation of US citizens

The US-Taliban Agreement

In February 2020, the Trump administration negotiated a withdrawal agreement with the Taliban that excluded the Afghan government. The agreement included the release of 5,000 imprisoned Taliban soldiers and set a withdrawal date of May 1, 2021. The agreement also stipulated that the Taliban would prevent al-Qaeda and other terrorists from using Afghanistan as a base of operations.

The Biden Administration's Withdrawal

The Biden administration pushed ahead with the withdrawal plan, despite the Taliban's failure to comply with the agreement and their stated goal of creating an "Islamic government" in Afghanistan. President Biden delayed the withdrawal date from May 1 to August 31, 2021.

The Taliban Offensive

In May 2021, the Taliban launched a major offensive, quickly capturing districts and threatening provincial capitals. The Taliban's rapid advance took both the Afghan government and the US by surprise, leading to the fall of Kabul on August 15, 2021.

The Evacuation Effort

The US and its allies evacuated over 123,000 civilians, including 6,000 Americans and more than 73,500 third-country nationals and Afghan civilians. The evacuation effort was not without controversy, as thousands of Afghan allies eligible for resettlement in the US were left behind, along with an unknown number of Americans.

The Aftermath

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the return of the Taliban to power created a refugee crisis and raised fears that Afghanistan would once again become a safe haven for terrorists. The Biden administration faced heavy criticism for its handling of the withdrawal, particularly from Republican lawmakers, who blasted the president for withdrawing troops before evacuating all Americans.

In the end, the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the evacuation of US citizens was a complex and challenging operation that highlighted the difficulties of ending America's longest war.

The Taliban's swift takeover of Afghanistan's major cities

The Taliban's rapid advance began in May 2021, as they took advantage of the US's planned withdrawal to capture and contest territory across the country. By August, they had encircled the capital of Kabul and captured 26 of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals in less than two weeks.

On August 6, 2021, the Taliban captured Zaranj, the capital of Nimruz Province, marking the first fall of a provincial capital. After that, provincial capitals began to fall in rapid succession. Within days, the Taliban captured more than ten other capitals, including Mazar-i-Sharif in the north and Jalalabad in the east, leaving Kabul as the only major urban area under government control.

The fall of these cities was due in part to the collapse of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). The ANDSF faced significant challenges in holding territory and defending population centers, suffering heavy casualties in the process. The Taliban's swift takeover was also due to their strong fighting force, inspired by their victories and momentum.

The capture of these major cities allowed the Taliban to gain control of border crossings, infrastructure, and key provinces surrounding Kabul, putting them in a position to take the capital. On August 15, 2021, Taliban fighters entered Kabul, and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.

The speed of the Taliban's territorial gains and the collapse of the ANDSF surprised US officials and allies, who had expected a longer fight. The Taliban's success in taking Afghanistan's major cities ultimately led to the fall of the Afghan government and the US's rushed evacuation of its citizens and allies.

The US's 20-year war in Afghanistan

The US-led coalition's invasion of Afghanistan aimed to overthrow the Taliban regime, which had refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, leader of Al-Qaeda. The Taliban regime was removed from power, and a new government was formed.

The war in Afghanistan was the longest war in American history. It resulted in the deaths of 2,461 US service members and the wounding of more than 20,000 others. The US also spent over $1 trillion on the war, with some estimates placing the figure at $2 trillion.

The US's initial goals in Afghanistan were to overthrow the Taliban and dismantle Al-Qaeda. However, the Bush administration soon shifted its focus to Iraq, diverting resources away from Afghanistan. This allowed the Taliban to regain strength and eventually recapture Afghanistan.

Throughout the war, the US struggled to stabilise Afghanistan, with efforts hampered by corruption, human rights abuses, and a lack of consistency across four administrations. The US also faced challenges in building a strong Afghan military and maintaining public support for the war.

In 2021, the Biden administration announced the withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, marking the end of the 20-year war. The withdrawal was not without controversy, with critics arguing that it was poorly executed and left Americans and vulnerable Afghans behind.

The war in Afghanistan had a significant impact on the region and the world. It resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and the displacement of millions. It also contributed to the rise of terrorist groups and the expansion of the US's war on terror.

The evacuation of Afghans who aided US forces

The Biden administration also worked on identifying a third country or US territory that could host Afghans while their visa applications were processed. The US Embassy in Kabul issued 299 special immigrant visas in March, 356 in April, and 619 in May. Biden said that the federal government approved 2,500 special immigrant visas to come to the US since his inauguration. An estimated 18,000 Afghans have worked for the US as interpreters, drivers, and in other positions and have applied for visas while awaiting processing.

Despite the challenges, the evacuation of Afghans who aided US forces was a success. The US alone evacuated about 82,300 people from Hamid Karzai International Airport, including US citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other vulnerable Afghans. In total, over 122,000 people were airlifted abroad. The evacuation was completed on August 30, one day before the deadline agreed upon with the Taliban.

The future of Afghanistan

The Humanitarian Crisis

Afghanistan is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions of Afghans internally displaced and millions more having fled the country. The World Food Programme is providing aid to those in need, but more needs to be done to address the crisis.

The Taliban's Rule

The Taliban's ability to govern Afghanistan is uncertain, with reports of internal policy spats within the group. The treatment of minority groups and women and girls under Taliban rule is a particular concern, with reports of human rights abuses.

The Role of the International Community

The international community has a role to play in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. However, with the world's attention focused on Ukraine, it is unclear how much support Afghanistan will receive.

Geopolitical Shifts

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan represents a monumental geopolitical shift in the region. It remains to be seen what gains other states, such as Russia, China, and Iran, will seek to make from this crisis.

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