Us-Afghanistan Relations: Navigating A Complex Engagement

The United States' relationship with Afghanistan has been fraught since the two nations first established diplomatic ties in 1935. The US has invaded Afghanistan multiple times, including in 1979, when it began to financially support the Afghan resistance against the Soviet Union, and in 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The US has also withdrawn its troops from Afghanistan several times, including in 1989, 2014, and 2021.

Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the US has shifted to a position of pragmatic engagement in Afghanistan. While the US has not recognised the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan, it has continued to engage with Taliban representatives to ensure they abide by their commitments to prevent any group or individual from using Afghan soil to threaten US security. The US has also led international humanitarian assistance efforts in Afghanistan, providing $775 million in aid as of July 2022.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

The US withdrawal was completed ahead of schedule, and it left Afghanistan in the hands of the Taliban. The Taliban had swiftly captured Kabul, causing the Afghan government to collapse and President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country. This led to tens of thousands of people fleeing to the country's borders, while others rushed to Kabul airport in an attempt to be evacuated.

The US withdrawal was the result of an agreement signed between the US and the Taliban in February 2020, which paved the way for a significant drawdown of US troops. The agreement also included guarantees from the Taliban that the country would not be used for terrorist activities. However, in the days following the signing of the agreement, Taliban fighters carried out dozens of attacks on Afghan security forces.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan

In the two decades since their initial removal, the Taliban regrouped and waged an insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul. Despite the billions of dollars spent by the US and its NATO allies to train and equip Afghan security forces, corruption within the Western-backed government and low morale meant that entire units surrendered after brief battles, and the capital Kabul fell without a fight.

The Taliban's swift offensive culminated in their capture of Kabul on 15 August 2021, just two weeks before the official US withdrawal deadline. This precipitated a mass evacuation of US and allied personnel, as well as thousands of Afghans who worked with them and attempted to flee the country. The evacuation was marred by a suicide attack that killed 13 US troops and at least 169 Afghans.

The Taliban's return to power has had devastating consequences for the Afghan people, particularly women and girls. The Taliban have imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, eroding freedom of expression and restricting the rights of women and girls. Women have been banned from working outside the home, appearing in public without a male chaperone, and travelling alone. Girls have been prohibited from attending secondary school, and women have been banned from attending and teaching at universities. The Taliban have also cracked down on dissent, intimidating journalists and restricting press freedoms, leading to the closure of hundreds of news organisations.

The takeover has also had severe economic impacts, with malnutrition soaring and hundreds of thousands of jobs lost. The country is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the Taliban's policies and the pause in aid from some countries and international organisations. The UN estimates that nearly 29 million Afghans are in need of assistance, with millions at risk of malnutrition and disease due to poor access to food and healthcare.

The Taliban's return to power has raised concerns among international observers about the group's support for terrorist organisations, particularly al-Qaeda. The Taliban provided sanctuary for al-Qaeda before their initial removal from power, and experts warn that Afghanistan could once again become a safe haven for terrorists capable of launching attacks against the US and its allies.

US-Taliban relations

The US-Taliban relationship has been tumultuous, to say the least. The Taliban, an ultraconservative political and religious faction, rose to power in Afghanistan in the post-Soviet power vacuum and provided sanctuary to Osama bin Laden. The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which were planned and carried out by al-Qaeda, a terrorist group harboured by the Taliban. The invasion aimed to capture Osama bin Laden and remove the Taliban government from power. The Taliban leadership retreated into rural areas and across the border to Pakistan, and the US-backed interim government was established under Hamid Karzai.

The US continued to support the new Afghan government, maintaining a high level of troops to establish its authority and combat the Taliban insurgency. In 2012, the US and Afghanistan signed a strategic partnership agreement, committing to a long-term relationship. However, the Taliban remained a formidable force and continued to launch attacks on US and Afghan forces. In 2020, the US and the Taliban signed a conditional peace agreement, paving the way for a significant drawdown of US troops. The agreement included guarantees from the Taliban that Afghan territory would not be used for terrorist activities. However, the Taliban carried out dozens of attacks on Afghan security forces following the agreement.

The US completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, leaving the country in the hands of the Taliban. The fall of Kabul on August 15 prompted the evacuation of US diplomatic personnel. The US has not recognized the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan and has urged the establishment of an inclusive government that respects human rights, particularly those of women and minorities. The US-Taliban relationship remains uncertain, with the US engaging with the Taliban to ensure they abide by their commitments regarding counterterrorism and human rights. The Taliban, meanwhile, have called for the US to unfreeze Afghan foreign assets to aid in the country's recovery.

US humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

The United States has provided extensive humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, with a focus on supporting vulnerable Afghans and addressing pressing needs in the country. Since 2002, the US has provided nearly $3.9 billion in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. This includes significant contributions to support the Afghan people in various sectors, such as health, education, women's empowerment, and economic growth.

In 2022, the US government announced an initial contribution of over $308 million in humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan. This funding was channelled through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to humanitarian organisations providing essential services. The aid package included food and nutrition assistance, support for healthcare facilities and mobile health teams, and winterisation programs such as emergency cash grants, shelter kits, heaters, blankets, and warm clothing. The US also provided additional COVID-19 vaccine doses to Afghanistan through the COVAX program, bringing its total contribution to 4.3 million doses.

The US has emphasised its commitment to supporting the Afghan people and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most. However, the US and its Western allies face a challenge in providing aid while bypassing the Taliban rulers, as they do not recognise the Taliban government. This has resulted in suspended foreign aid and frozen Afghan financial assets abroad. Despite these challenges, the US continues to urge the Taliban to allow unhindered humanitarian access and independent provision of assistance to vulnerable Afghans.

The US has also provided substantial economic aid to Afghanistan, which accounts for 30% of total foreign aid to the country since 2001. This economic aid has supported the broad development of Afghanistan's economy and includes international narcotics control, law enforcement, and international disaster and famine assistance. In 2019, the US spent $1.2 billion on economic aid to Afghanistan.

The US has been the largest provider of foreign assistance to Afghanistan, with a total of $4.89 billion in foreign assistance provided in 2019. This aid reflects the US's enduring support for Afghanistan and its commitment to promoting a peaceful and stable future for the country.

US-Afghanistan relations

In 1979, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan marked a turning point in the Cold War, with the US beginning to financially support the Afghan resistance. Under the Carter and Reagan administrations, the US committed $3 billion in financial and diplomatic support to the anti-Soviet Mujahideen forces. The US also started admitting thousands of Afghan refugees for resettlement and provided money and weapons to the Mujahideen through Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the new Taliban government to capture Osama bin Laden, who was found in neighbouring Pakistan. This invasion led to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the reestablishment of its diplomatic relations with the rest of the world. The US supported the new government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai by maintaining a high level of troops to establish the authority of his government and combat Taliban insurgency.

In 2012, the US and Afghanistan signed a strategic partnership agreement to strengthen their bilateral relationship, support Afghanistan's capabilities as a partner, and improve the lives of the Afghan people. However, in 2020, the US and the Taliban signed the Doha Agreement, which led to the withdrawal of US and Allied forces from Afghanistan by August 30, 2021. Since the Taliban takeover, the US has shifted to a position of pragmatic engagement in Afghanistan, focusing on humanitarian aid and targeted assistance to meet basic human needs and prevent an economic collapse. The US has not recognized the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan and continues to engage with them to ensure they abide by their commitments under the Doha Agreement.

The US has provided significant humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, becoming the single largest donor of aid in the country. Additionally, the US has worked to avoid a collapse of the Afghan economy without benefiting the Taliban, boosting financial sector liquidity, and helping Afghan banks retain access to the international financial system. The US engages with Taliban representatives to urge the establishment of an inclusive government that reflects Afghanistan's diversity and includes meaningful representation for women and minority communities.

Afghanistan and the US share membership in several international organizations, including the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. While Afghanistan was designated a major non-NATO ally by the US in 2012, this status was revoked in 2022 after the Taliban takeover.

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