The Enduring Deployment: Examining The Continued Presence Of Troops In Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan, which lasted for 20 years, came to an end in August 2021. The last U.S. soldier left Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, marking the end of America's longest war. The U.S. military, diplomats, and intelligence professionals risked their lives to evacuate over 120,000 people, including American citizens, embassy personnel, citizens of allied countries, and Afghans who had worked with them. The evacuation was a success, but it came at a cost—thirteen American service members lost their lives, and twenty others were wounded.

The decision to end the war in Afghanistan was made by President Biden in April 2021. The assumption was that the Afghan National Security Forces, trained and equipped by the U.S., would be able to hold off the Taliban. However, this assumption turned out to be incorrect, and the Afghan government collapsed, leading to a rushed evacuation.

The war in Afghanistan began in 2001 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The U.S., along with NATO allies and partner countries, deployed military forces to Afghanistan to ensure that the country would not become a safe haven for international terrorists. Over the course of the 20-year war, more than 775,000 U.S. service members were deployed to Afghanistan. The war cost the U.S. over $2 trillion and the lives of 2,461 American personnel.

The end of the war in Afghanistan has brought about a mix of emotions, with some feeling relief that the war is over, while others mourn the loss of those who died and worry about the future of Afghanistan. The Taliban is now in control of the country, and there are concerns about the protection of human rights, especially for women and girls.

The U.S. and its allies continue to work on evacuating the remaining Americans and Afghans who wish to leave Afghanistan. The U.N. Security Council has passed a resolution calling for the Taliban to uphold its commitments, including allowing safe passage for those who want to leave.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

The US withdrawal was not without controversy. The evacuation process was described as “chaotic”, with thousands of Afghans who had aided US forces left behind. There was also criticism of the Biden administration's handling of the situation, with accusations that the evacuation could have been better organised.

The withdrawal resulted in the Taliban regaining control of Afghanistan, leading to a refugee crisis and fears of Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for terrorists. The Taliban's return to power has had a detrimental impact on the country, with a collapsing economy, a humanitarian crisis, and restrictions on civil society, particularly for women and girls.

The US and its allies evacuated over 120,000 people, including US citizens, Afghans who worked with them, and citizens of allied countries. The evacuation was a massive and challenging operation, with US troops facing significant risks.

Following the withdrawal, the US and its allies continue to face challenges in Afghanistan. There are ongoing efforts to evacuate remaining US citizens and Afghan allies, as well as providing humanitarian aid to address the country's economic collapse and humanitarian crisis.

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan

The Taliban takeover has resulted in a rollback of women's rights and media freedom, which were among the foremost achievements of the post-2001 reconstruction effort. Most secondary schools for girls were closed, and women were prohibited from working in most government jobs and many other areas. The Taliban also detained journalists, and many media outlets closed or drastically scaled back their reporting.

The takeover has also led to a deterioration in the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with millions of Afghans facing severe food insecurity due to lost income, cash shortages, and rising food costs. The takeover has also resulted in a pause in aid by some countries and international organizations, which had been the lifeline of the economy and public health sector.

The Taliban takeover has also had a significant impact on the security situation in Afghanistan. While the country's overall security situation has improved, and civilian casualties have declined, violence remains widespread, particularly as the Islamic State in Khorasan terrorist group has increased attacks on civilians throughout the country.

The Taliban takeover has also raised concerns among international observers about the group's support for terrorist organizations, particularly al-Qaeda. The United States initially invaded Afghanistan after it refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. Under the Taliban's rule, Afghanistan could once again become a safe haven for terrorists capable of launching attacks against the United States and its allies.

The Taliban takeover has also had a significant impact on the political situation in Afghanistan. The Taliban government has not been formally recognized by any other country, and there have been calls for the group to respect human rights, particularly those of women and girls, and to establish an inclusive and representative government.

Overall, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has had far-reaching consequences for the country's political, economic, social, and security situation. The group's harsh interpretation of Islamic law and rollback of women's rights have been widely condemned by the international community. At the same time, the Taliban have struggled to provide Afghans with adequate food supplies and economic opportunities, and there are concerns about the group's ability to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists.

The evacuation of US citizens and allies from Afghanistan

The evacuation process was chaotic and dangerous, with thousands of Afghan civilians rushing to the airport and attempting to board flights out of the country. US soldiers had to use helicopters and fire warning shots to control the crowds. During this time, there were also attacks on the airport by ISIS-K, which led to the deaths of US service members and Afghan civilians.

The US and its allies evacuated US citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other vulnerable Afghans. The evacuation efforts were coordinated with the Taliban, who controlled the areas outside the airport. The US provided the Taliban with lists of names of people to be evacuated, which was controversial as the Taliban had a history of brutally murdering Afghans who collaborated with the US.

The evacuation efforts were also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with evacuees offered vaccinations upon arrival in safe havens. Overall, the US and its allies evacuated more than 120,000 people from Afghanistan, with the US alone evacuating about 82,300 people. The evacuation efforts ended on August 30, one day before the deadline agreed upon with the Taliban.

Following the evacuation, there were still US citizens and Afghan allies who remained in Afghanistan. The US government continued to work on evacuating those who wanted to leave and provided assistance to Afghan refugees who had been evacuated.

The future of Afghan refugees in the US

The Afghan Adjustment Act, a proposed legislation that would provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency for Afghan evacuees, has stalled in Congress. This has left tens of thousands of refugees in limbo, facing an August deadline for action before their temporary parole status expires. The Act has bipartisan support and is backed by veterans' organizations and former military officials. However, some lawmakers have expressed concerns about the security vetting process and whether the bill is too broad in its scope.

Afghan refugees in the US face various challenges and uncertainties as they rebuild their lives. They must navigate a nationwide housing shortage and the ongoing pandemic, which has delayed access to many services and benefits. They also tend to have lower educational attainment, lower labor force participation, and higher poverty rates compared to other immigrant groups in the US. Despite these challenges, Afghan refugees are expected to make significant contributions to the US economy, with a recent study projecting their economic contributions to total $1.4 billion in their first year of work.

Resettlement agencies and the US government are providing various forms of support to Afghan refugees, including temporary accommodations, food, medical care, COVID-19 vaccinations, and assistance with finding jobs, enrolling children in school, and learning English. The public and businesses have also stepped up to contribute donations and volunteer efforts.

The US's future relationship with Afghanistan

The US has not sent troops to Afghanistan since the forcible takeover by the Taliban in August 2021. However, the US has continued to engage with Taliban representatives to urge the establishment of a credible process to form an inclusive government that fully reflects Afghanistan's diversity, including meaningful representation of women and minority communities.

The US has also continued to provide humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, working through UN agencies and NGOs. The US has provided $775 million in humanitarian assistance as of July 2022. The US has also supported programs designed to improve human rights in Afghanistan, particularly those of women, girls, and minority communities.

The US has also made significant efforts, in coordination with other members of the international community, to avoid a collapse of the Afghan economy without benefiting the Taliban. These efforts have boosted financial sector liquidity and helped Afghan banks retain access to the international financial system.

The US has also continued to support Afghan refugees. Since the Taliban entered Kabul, the US has welcomed over 76,000 Afghans forced to flee their country. The US has also increased its refugee resettlement goals.

The future of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is uncertain. UNAMA is mandated to promote the rights of Afghan women and girls and to monitor, investigate, and report on alleged human rights abuses.

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