Beyond The Wire: A Glimpse Into The Lives Of Us Soldiers On Afghan Soil

In 2021, the United States military left Afghanistan's Bagram Airbase, which served as the epicentre of its war against the Taliban and al-Qaeda. The withdrawal signalled the end of the longest war in US history, spanning nearly two decades. The US troops quietly departed the base ahead of the planned withdrawal timeline, leaving behind a piece of the World Trade Center they had buried 20 years ago. The exit raised concerns about the ability of Afghan security forces to resist the Taliban's advances and sparked fears of Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for terrorists. The US left behind a force to protect its embassy and approximately 6,500 troops under a bilateral agreement with the Afghan government.

The US withdrawal from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan

Once a dilapidated runway, Bagram Air Base transformed into a bustling mini-city, complete with shops, gyms, and classrooms, accommodating thousands of service members and contractors. The base was instrumental in coordinating military operations throughout Afghanistan, with its two-mile-long runway accommodating cargo aircraft, fighter jets, and attack helicopters.

The withdrawal from Bagram Air Base occurred amid efforts by the US to balance its commitments to ending its longest foreign war and assuring Afghans of continued support. The departure was marked by controversy, with Afghan officials accusing the US of secretly slipping away overnight, turning off the electricity, and failing to properly coordinate the transition. This left the base vulnerable to looters before Afghan troops could retake control.

The US, however, disputed these claims, with Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby insisting that the withdrawal had been communicated to high-level Afghan officials and that it was not done in secrecy. The final withdrawal of US troops from the base took place overnight on Thursday, with no public ceremony, reflecting concerns about the ability of Afghan security forces to withstand Taliban advances.

The handover of Bagram Air Base to the Afghan military signalled the imminent conclusion of America's longest war and was a symbolic victory for the Taliban. The full withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan was expected to be completed by mid-August, ahead of the September 11 deadline set by President Biden.

The Taliban's advances in Afghanistan

The Taliban's swift offensive came as the United States and its NATO allies withdrew their remaining troops from Afghanistan. In July 2021, American troops pulled out of their main military base in Afghanistan, Bagram Air Base, nearly 20 years after it became the hub of US military operations in the country. The withdrawal from Bagram Air Base brought an effective end to the longest war in US history.

The Taliban's resurgence has had a devastating impact on Afghanistan. Under their harsh rule, the country's economy has floundered, malnutrition has soared, and hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost. The Taliban have cracked down on women's rights, banning most girls from attending secondary school and prohibiting all women from working and teaching at universities. They have also re-imposed public floggings and executions and restricted press freedoms.

The Taliban's takeover has also heightened the risk of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan. International observers are concerned that the Taliban could provide safe haven for terrorist organizations, particularly al-Qaeda. The Taliban's return to power has emboldened other militant groups, such as Tehrik-e-Taliban, also known as the Pakistani Taliban.

The speed and extent of the Taliban's territorial gains took US officials and allies by surprise, despite earlier intelligence assessments of the situation on the ground. The Afghan government forces struggled to counter the Taliban's advances and, in some cases, negotiated surrender agreements. The Taliban's battlefield victories have raised doubts about the ability of the Afghan government to survive.

The US's longest war

The war in Afghanistan was the longest war in US history, lasting nearly two decades and spanning four presidencies. The conflict began on October 7, 2001, when President George W. Bush authorised the war in response to the 9/11 attacks. The Taliban-ruled Afghanistan was providing refuge for al-Qaeda, the terrorist organisation responsible for the attacks.

The initial goal of the war was to defeat al-Qaeda and neutralise the threat they posed. However, this quickly became muddled with broader aims, such as nation-building and ensuring al-Qaeda could never return to Afghanistan. The US also sought to support a new government in Kabul and rout out the Taliban.

Over the course of the war, the US spent more than $2 trillion and lost thousands of troops, with more than 2,000 American soldiers killed and tens of thousands of Afghans, both soldiers and civilians, losing their lives. In addition, more than 100,000 Afghan civilians have been killed or injured since 2009.

Despite these losses, there were some successes. The US and its partners helped improve the lives of countless Afghans, advancing the rights of women and girls, supporting independent media, and building schools, hospitals, and roads. They also successfully drove out al-Qaeda and overthrew the Taliban government in Kabul.

However, the Taliban soon regrouped, and the war became a stalemate, with the US unable to defeat the insurgency despite its superior military power. The US also struggled to build a strong, self-sufficient Afghan state, with efforts hampered by corruption, human rights abuses, and a lack of understanding of the local culture and dynamics.

In the end, the US was forced to withdraw from Afghanistan, with the last troops leaving in August 2021. This withdrawal was chaotic and hastily executed, with the Taliban quickly retaking control of the country. The war ended in a crushing defeat for the US, leaving Afghanistan in a state of crisis and facing an uncertain future.

The impact of the US withdrawal on the Afghan security forces

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan has had a significant impact on the Afghan security forces, particularly in terms of their capabilities, morale, and overall effectiveness in countering the Taliban.

The US withdrawal left the Afghan security forces without crucial support, including air support, supplies, and maintenance. This support had been integral to the Afghan security forces' operations, and its loss led to a rapid decline in their capabilities and morale. The Afghan forces struggled with low morale, frequent leadership changes, and supply shortages, which made it difficult for them to mount an effective defense against the Taliban.

The US withdrawal also created a power vacuum that the Taliban was quick to fill. With the loss of US air support, the Afghan security forces found themselves at a significant disadvantage, and the Taliban was able to capitalize on this by seizing strategic districts and supply routes. The Taliban's momentum and growing strength further demoralized the Afghan security forces, who began to suffer from a sense of futility and a lack of faith in their ability to counter the Taliban advance.

The withdrawal of US troops also had a political impact on Afghanistan. The Afghan government struggled to maintain unity and strong leadership in the face of the Taliban's growing strength. Political infighting and ethnic divisions within the government further weakened their position, making it difficult to mount an effective defense or negotiate with the Taliban.

The US withdrawal exposed the vulnerabilities of the Afghan security forces and highlighted the dependence they had on US support. The loss of US air support, supplies, and maintenance capabilities left the Afghan forces ill-equipped to counter the Taliban's offensive, leading to a rapid loss of territory and an increasing sense of futility among their ranks.

Overall, the US withdrawal had a detrimental effect on the Afghan security forces, undermining their capabilities, morale, and effectiveness in countering the Taliban insurgency. The loss of US support left the Afghan forces struggling to mount an effective defense, and the power vacuum created by the withdrawal allowed the Taliban to gain momentum and territorial control.

The future of Afghanistan

The Taliban's ability to govern effectively and their treatment of minority groups and women will be crucial in determining Afghanistan's future trajectory. The international community's response, including that of the United States, will play a significant role in shaping the country's future.

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