Ruqayyah Snyder
The US military presence in Afghanistan ended on August 30, 2021, after nearly 20 years. The last US troops left the country a day ahead of schedule, concluding America's longest war. The evacuation of US troops from Afghanistan was precipitated by the Taliban's swift capture of Kabul and the collapse of the Afghan government. The Taliban's resurgence was aided by the withdrawal of US troops from the country, which began on May 1, 2021. The US exit from Afghanistan has raised concerns about the use of the country as a safe haven for terrorists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of US withdrawal from Afghanistan | 30 August 2021 |
| Length of US military presence in Afghanistan | 20 years |
| Number of people evacuated by US and coalition aircraft | Over 123,000 |
| Number of US citizens remaining in Afghanistan | 100-200 |
| Number of US service members killed | 2,461 |
| Number of US service members wounded | 20,000+ |
What You'll Learn
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan
The US exit from Afghanistan resulted in the Taliban regaining control of the country and the creation of a refugee crisis as many Afghans fled. The Taliban's resurgence was swift, with the group taking control of Kabul and the presidential palace on August 15, just hours after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. This led to a chaotic evacuation process as thousands of Afghans attempted to flee the country, with over 120,000 people evacuated in the Allied airlift from Kabul airport. The evacuation was not without tragedy, with a suicide attack on August 26 killing 13 US service members and over 170 Afghan civilians.
The US withdrawal has been criticized for its handling, with accusations that it was poorly planned and executed. A US State Department report released in June 2023 detailed damning shortcomings that led to the chaotic nature of the withdrawal. The report found that there was insufficient consideration of worst-case scenarios and a lack of clear decision-making, which hindered evacuation efforts.
The withdrawal has also led to a collapse of the Afghan economy and a humanitarian crisis, with the country facing universal poverty and nearly 10 million children going hungry. The US and its allies have provided humanitarian aid, but there are concerns that sanctions and the freezing of Afghan central bank assets have contributed to the economic collapse.
**A World Apart: The Distance Between Italy and Afghanistan**
You may want to see also
The Taliban's recapture of Afghanistan
The US decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan has been controversial, with critics arguing that the far-faster-than-expected Taliban takeover created conditions that left the US scrambling to get out. The Biden administration has defended its decision, arguing that the war was no longer in the service of vital national interests. The withdrawal has also had domestic political consequences for the US, with the chaotic exit damaging the aura of competence that the Biden administration had tried to build.
A Long and Arduous Journey: Reflecting on the British Military Presence in Afghanistan
You may want to see also
The evacuation of US citizens and Afghan refugees
The evacuation of Afghans was a hurried process, with most being admitted through Humanitarian Parole, which allowed them to enter the US quickly. This was necessary given the urgency of the situation, but it also meant that most Afghans did not arrive as refugees and therefore did not have access to the same benefits as those with refugee status.
The US government has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with questions raised about the support provided to Afghans upon their arrival in the US. However, the Biden administration has defended its decision to exit Afghanistan, stating that the war was no longer in the service of vital national interests.
The evacuation process was not without challenges, and there were reports of US citizens being left behind in Afghanistan. The US government continues to work on getting these individuals out of the country, and there is no deadline for this effort.
The resettlement of Afghan refugees in the US has been supported by various government agencies, state and local authorities, Afghan diaspora groups, and refugee resettlement agencies. These groups have experience in resettling refugees and are working to provide essential services such as housing, healthcare, and education to those arriving.
The evacuation and resettlement process has also been supported by the creation of specialized programs, such as the Afghan Placement Assistance Program, which provides initial relocation support services for Afghan parolees. Additionally, the US Congress has passed continuing resolutions to fund resettlement efforts, provide care for Afghan evacuees, and assist with additional evacuations.
The Human Cost of War: Examining Enemy Casualties in Afghanistan
You may want to see also
The future of Afghanistan under Taliban rule
The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, twenty years after their ouster by U.S. troops, has resulted in a rollback of human rights, particularly for women, and a struggling economy.
Human rights
Under the Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law, women have been prohibited from working and attending universities, and girls have been banned from attending secondary school. The Taliban have also violently cracked down on demonstrations and restricted press freedoms, leading to the closure of more than 200 news organizations. Public floggings and executions have resumed, and the rates of child marriage have increased.
Economy
The economy has floundered under the Taliban, with the GDP shrinking by up to 30% since their takeover. Crippling sanctions, a pause in aid, and a collapse in the housing market have resulted in mass unemployment and increased malnutrition rates. The Taliban have struggled to adapt from being an insurgent group to a functional government, and their failure to build an inclusive government has provoked opposition to their rule.
Security
While the country's overall security situation has improved since the U.S. withdrawal, with civilian casualties declining, violence remains widespread. The Islamic State in Khorasan, a terrorist group, has increased attacks on civilians throughout the country, particularly minority communities.
International relations
The Taliban's close ties with al-Qaeda and refusal to cut links with international terrorist groups have raised concerns that Afghanistan could once again become a safe haven for terrorists. The presence of al-Qaeda leaders in the country and the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul by a U.S. drone strike have heightened these concerns.
Language Barriers and Bridges: Navigating Afghanistan's Complex Linguistic Landscape
You may want to see also
The impact on Biden's presidency
The impact of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on Biden's presidency has been significant, with the chaotic nature of the evacuation damaging the perception of Biden's competence. While Biden's decision to withdraw troops was broadly supported by the American people, the manner in which it was executed drew criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
Biden's handling of the withdrawal was marked by a series of contradictory statements and a perceived lack of transparency. The president had previously stated that the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan was "highly unlikely" and that the US would exit the country in a safe and orderly way. However, the speed of the Taliban's advance took the administration by surprise, and the evacuation was characterized by confusion and disorganization. This led to a bipartisan backlash, with Biden's job approval ratings declining significantly in the aftermath of the withdrawal.
The withdrawal also raised questions about Biden's foreign policy approach and his ability to combat terrorism. Biden defended his decision by arguing that the US counterterrorism mission in Afghanistan was complete and that American troops should not be fighting in a war that Afghan forces were unwilling to fight themselves. He emphasized the need to focus on new threats, such as economic competition from China and cyberattacks from Russia. However, the Taliban's resurgence and the chaotic evacuation undermined Biden's narrative of competence and raised concerns about his ability to handle foreign policy crises.
The impact of the Afghanistan withdrawal on Biden's presidency extended beyond foreign policy. The chaotic evacuation and the perception of a lack of preparedness damaged Biden's credibility and raised doubts about his leadership capabilities. This had domestic repercussions, as it shifted the focus away from Biden's domestic agenda and towards his handling of the international crisis. The administration's attention and resources were diverted towards managing the fallout of the withdrawal, making it more challenging to advance their domestic priorities.
Despite the criticism, the impact of the Afghanistan withdrawal on Biden's long-term political prospects is uncertain. While the withdrawal damaged Biden's reputation, other factors, such as the state of the economy and the pandemic, are likely to play a more significant role in shaping his long-term political success or failure. Additionally, the American people's weariness of the war in Afghanistan and their support for ending US military involvement may mitigate some of the negative consequences for Biden's presidency.
The Human Cost of War: Examining the Toll on Contractors in Afghanistan
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the last US soldier left Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, marking the end of the US's 20-year military presence in the country.
The US left Afghanistan because it wanted to end its longest war, which had lasted 20 years and cost the lives of 2,461 US service members.
At the time of the military evacuation in August 2021, 54% of Americans said that the decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan was the right one. However, there was a sharp partisan divide, with 70% of Democrats agreeing compared to only 34% of Republicans.
The US exit from Afghanistan resulted in the Taliban regaining control of the country and created a refugee crisis as many Afghans fled. It also raised fears that Afghanistan would once again become a safe haven for terrorists.
The exit from Afghanistan is likely to have long-lasting effects on US foreign policy and raises questions about President Biden's approach to the world. While Biden has stated that the US will continue to combat terrorism, he has also shifted focus to new threats such as economic competition from China and cyberattacks.
