The Long Road To Afghanistan: A Historical Perspective On The War's Origins

The war in Afghanistan was triggered by the September 11 attacks and lasted 20 years, becoming the longest war in American history. The conflict began when al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four commercial airliners, crashing them into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania.

The war in Afghanistan can be divided into three phases. The first phase was toppling the Taliban regime, which lasted only two months. The second phase, from 2002 to 2008, focused on defeating the Taliban militarily and rebuilding core institutions of the Afghan state. The third phase, which began in 2008, adopted a counterinsurgency doctrine, with the U.S. sending more troops to Afghanistan and implementing a strategy to protect the population from Taliban attacks and reintegrate insurgents.

Despite the initial success of the war, it soon became clear that the U.S. was facing a protracted conflict. The Taliban regrouped and adopted new tactics, such as suicide bombings and buried bombs, causing heavy casualties. The war also suffered from a lack of clear objectives and shifting priorities, with resources and attention diverted to the war in Iraq.

The war resulted in significant casualties and economic costs for both the U.S. and Afghanistan. The U.S. military casualties included around 2,400 service members killed and about 20,700 others wounded. The economic cost of the war for the U.S. was estimated to be over $900 billion, with additional costs to be incurred in the future for veterans' care.

The war in Afghanistan also had a devastating impact on the Afghan people, with an estimated 60,000 Afghan deaths and millions of refugees. The country suffered from widespread destruction, with infrastructure, education, and healthcare systems in ruins.

Despite the enormous sacrifices made by both the U.S. and Afghanistan, the war ended without a clear resolution. The Taliban remained a potent force, controlling or contesting more than a third of the country. The Afghan government, plagued by corruption and infighting, struggled to provide security and basic services to its citizens.

In conclusion, the war in Afghanistan was a complex and protracted conflict that had far-reaching consequences for both the U.S. and Afghanistan. The war's legacy includes the loss of lives, economic costs, and a fragile political situation in Afghanistan, highlighting the need for careful consideration and strategic planning in future military engagements.

The Taliban's swift takeover of Afghanistan

The Taliban's lightning offensive began in May 2021, as US and NATO troops started to leave the country. In the span of 10 days, they had taken city after city across the country, eventually reaching the capital, Kabul, without facing any resistance. The Afghan government forces, trained and equipped by the US and its allies, collapsed, and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as the Taliban entered the presidential palace.

The speed of the Taliban's advance took the world by surprise. The international community scrambled to respond, with Pope Francis calling for dialogue and NATO urging a political solution to the conflict. Foreign countries organised the evacuation of their citizens and Afghans who had worked for them, and thousands of Afghans rushed to Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport, the only exit route from the country, in a desperate attempt to escape.

The Taliban's victory in Afghanistan marked a return to power 20 years after their ouster by US-led forces in 2001. Their harsh rule has been characterised by a crackdown on women's rights, restrictions on freedom of expression and the media, and economic turmoil. The group has imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, erasing women from public arenas and restricting their access to education and employment. The country's economy has suffered, with malnutrition soaring and hundreds of thousands of jobs lost.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has had severe consequences for the country and its people, with gains in living standards and women's rights made over the past two decades being wiped out. The future remains uncertain, with the Taliban pledging to form an "inclusive, Islamic government" but failing to uphold their promises of respecting human rights and women's rights.

The US's chaotic withdrawal

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan was a chaotic end to America's longest war. The Biden administration's decision to withdraw all troops by September 2021 without leaving a residual force was one of the critical events that triggered the collapse of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

The US-Taliban deal, signed by the Trump administration in February 2020, stipulated fighting restrictions for both parties and provided for the withdrawal of all NATO forces from Afghanistan in return for the Taliban's counter-terrorism commitments. Following the deal, the US reduced the number of air attacks on the Taliban, which had detrimental effects on the ANSF's ability to fight the Taliban insurgency. This ultimately led to the Taliban's takeover of Kabul on 15 August 2021.

The withdrawal was marred by scenes of desperate Afghans storming Kabul airport, with some clinging to departing US planes as they taxied down the runway. The Kabul airport was in chaos in the weeks leading up to the US withdrawal as Afghans tried to flee the country. The US government later authorized the deployment of additional troops to the airport, increasing the troop presence in Kabul to 7,000 to facilitate evacuations.

The withdrawal also resulted in the US leaving behind thousands of Afghan allies who had assisted the war effort. A report by the nonprofit Association of Wartime Allies estimated that the US left behind approximately 78,000 Afghans who had applied for special immigrant visas. These individuals now face persecution and economic deprivation under the Taliban's rule.

The chaotic withdrawal had significant political consequences for the Biden administration, with the president's approval ratings plunging in the aftermath. A review by the National Security Council largely blamed former President Donald Trump for the chaotic withdrawal, arguing that President Biden was "severely constrained" by the decisions of his predecessor. However, Republicans in Congress have sharply criticized the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal, focusing on the deaths of 13 service members in a suicide bombing at Kabul's airport.

The evacuation of US citizens and allies

Planning and Coordination

• The evacuation efforts were coordinated by various countries and organisations, including the US, UK, Canada, India, South Korea, Qatar, Turkey, the European Union, and NATO.
• There was a focus on securing Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport as the main exit point, with troops deployed to secure the airport and facilitate evacuations.
• The US State Department played a crucial role in the evacuation process, providing assistance and resources to US citizens and allies.
• The US also worked with other countries and organisations to ensure safe passage for those fleeing Afghanistan.

Evacuation Process

• The evacuation process involved airlifts and ground operations to get people out of the country.
• US military helicopters were used to transport people from beyond the airport perimeter to the airport for evacuation.
• There were challenges with crowds and security at the airport, with US soldiers having to use crowd control measures and occasionally fire warning shots to manage the situation.
• Some individuals even clung to departing aircraft in desperate attempts to escape.
• The US and its allies evacuated citizens, embassy staff, Afghan citizens who worked with coalition forces, and vulnerable Afghans (including women, children, and minorities).
• The evacuation efforts also included the removal of sensitive documents and equipment from embassies and government facilities.

Challenges and Issues

• The evacuation process was chaotic and dangerous, with reports of violence, stampedes, and deaths.
• There were concerns about the Taliban interfering with evacuations and the potential for attacks by terrorist groups like ISIS-K.
• The Taliban sealed off the airport at times, hindering evacuation efforts.
• There were issues with identifying and processing individuals for evacuation, especially those without proper documentation.
• Some countries' evacuation efforts were hindered by these challenges, resulting in empty flights or stranded citizens.

Outcomes and Statistics

• The evacuation efforts constituted one of the largest airlifts in history, with over 120,000 people evacuated from Afghanistan.
• The US alone evacuated about 82,300 people from Hamid Karzai International Airport, including US citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and vulnerable Afghans.
• The evacuation was completed by August 30, 2021, one day before the deadline agreed upon with the Taliban.
• However, it is estimated that hundreds of US citizens and thousands of vulnerable Afghans were left behind.
• Post-withdrawal evacuation efforts continued, with the US and other countries facilitating overland evacuations and refugee resettlement.

The Taliban's treatment of women

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have imposed widespread restrictions on the rights of women and girls, affecting all aspects of their lives. The Taliban's treatment of women has been described by experts as “gender apartheid".

Education

The Taliban have banned girls from attending school past the sixth grade and barred women from attending university. This makes Afghanistan the only country in the world where girls and young women are forbidden from attending secondary school and higher education institutions.

Employment

The Taliban have prohibited women from working in most sectors, including government offices, NGOs, and decision-making or managerial positions. Women are also banned from working as lawyers or judges and have been barred from working for international organizations or on women's empowerment projects.

Freedom of Movement

Women are banned from travelling long distances without a male chaperone or "mahram". They are also restricted from entering public spaces such as parks, public baths, and historic places.

Dress Code

The Taliban have imposed strict dress codes on women, requiring them to wear a burqa or Arab-style hijab when outside the home.

Access to Services

Unchaperoned women are increasingly being denied access to essential services, including healthcare. Taliban policies have also disrupted the livelihoods of women, causing many to lose their jobs and sources of income.

Mental Health

The restrictions imposed by the Taliban have had a significant impact on the mental health of women and girls, with widespread reports of depression and suicide, especially among adolescent girls who are prevented from pursuing education.

Violence

The Taliban's policies have led to a significant increase in spousal and intrafamily violence against women and girls. Women seeking divorce or reporting domestic violence are often admonished and told that they "deserve to be beaten".

Enforcement

Violations of the Taliban's prohibitions can result in flogging, stoning, or worse for women.

The future of Afghanistan

• Humanitarian Crisis: Afghanistan is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, including food insecurity, lack of access to basic necessities, and limited healthcare. Millions have fled the country, and millions more are internally displaced. Addressing this crisis and providing aid to those in need is a critical priority.
• Women and Minority Rights: Under the Taliban's rule, there are concerns about the rights and freedoms of women and minority groups. Ensuring their protection, access to education, and equal opportunities is essential for the country's future.
• Geopolitical Shifts: The US withdrawal from Afghanistan represents a significant geopolitical shift. Regional powers such as Russia, China, and Iran may seek to exert influence and gain advantages in the region. Understanding their motivations and intentions is crucial.
• Security and Stability: Establishing security and stability in Afghanistan is vital. The country has a history of civil war and factionalism, and the Taliban's ability to govern effectively and maintain peace remains uncertain.
• Economic Development: Afghanistan's economy is in a precarious state, with limited infrastructure and a largely agricultural-based system. Rebuilding the economy, creating jobs, and attracting foreign investment are necessary for long-term stability.
• International Engagement: The international community's role is crucial. Providing humanitarian aid, supporting refugees, and promoting economic development are essential. However, there are also concerns about the level of engagement and the potential for foreign interference.

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