The Ever-Present War In Afghanistan: Understanding America's Longest Conflict

The United States' war in Afghanistan was waged in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. The attacks, carried out by Al-Qaeda operatives, killed nearly 3,000 people. Within 10 days, US President George W. Bush declared a 'War on Terror', stating that defeating terrorism was now the world's fight.

Afghanistan had become a base for Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, since the 1990s. The US issued an ultimatum to the Taliban government, which was in power at the time, demanding they hand over all Al-Qaeda personnel and close training camps. When the Taliban refused, military action was taken. In October 2001, the US, alongside British forces, invaded Afghanistan, removing the Taliban from power and forming a new government.

The Taliban's wealth and sources of funding

The Taliban is a wealthy organisation with diverse sources of funding. In 2016, Forbes listed the Taliban as the fifth richest out of 10 'Terrorist' organisations, with an annual turnover of $400 million. By the financial year ending in March 2020, the Taliban's income had increased to $1.6 billion, according to a NATO report. This is a 400% increase in four years.

Drugs

The Taliban profits from the cultivation of opium poppies in Afghanistan, which accounted for approximately 84% of global opium production over the five years ending in 2020. The Taliban imposes a 10% tax on every link in the drug production chain, from farmers to traders. The group also cooperates with drug traffickers, providing protection for drug convoys in exchange for revenue. The exact amount of money the Taliban makes from the drug trade is difficult to determine, but estimates range from $100 million to $416 million per year.

Mining

Mining iron ore, marble, copper, gold, zinc, and other minerals in Afghanistan is a lucrative business for the Taliban. Both small-scale and large-scale mining operations pay the Taliban for protection, and those who don't pay face death threats. The Taliban's Stones and Mines Commission claims the group earns $400 million a year from mining, while NATO estimates this figure to be $464 million.

Extortion and Taxes

The Taliban acts like a government in the areas under their control, imposing various taxes on industries and individuals. This includes a 10% tax on harvests, a 2.5% wealth tax, and taxes on services such as water and electricity. They also charge drivers for using highways and shopkeepers for doing business. The Taliban issues official tax receipts and these tax revenues are estimated to bring in around $160 million annually.

Charitable Donations

The Taliban receives financial contributions from private donors and institutions across the globe, particularly from charities and trusts in Persian Gulf countries. These donations are estimated to be between $150 million and $240 million per year. Private citizens from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, and other Persian Gulf nations also contribute to the Taliban's funding.

Exports

The Taliban imports and exports various consumer goods, including auto parts and minerals. Their net income from exports is estimated to be around $240 million per year, although there may be some overlap with income from drug and mining revenues.

Real Estate

The Taliban owns real estate in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and potentially other countries, bringing in an estimated $80 million in revenue each year.

Foreign Governments

The governments of Russia, Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia are believed to provide financial support to the Taliban, with estimates of these funds reaching up to $500 million per year.

The US's reasons for invading Afghanistan

The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001, alongside British and other NATO troops, to destroy the terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime from power. This was in response to the 9/11 attacks, which were coordinated by Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, from Afghanistan.

After the 9/11 attacks, US President George W. Bush declared a 'War on Terror' and demanded that the Taliban government hand over all Al-Qaeda personnel and close Al-Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan. When the Taliban refused, military action was taken.

The US also aimed to prevent future terrorist attacks on the US by maintaining a presence in the region, as Bush stated:

> "Our strategy is this. We will fight them over there so we do not have to face them in the United States of America."

In addition to counter-terrorism, the US invasion of Afghanistan was part of a wider effort to help rebuild the country. The US and its allies established the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to support the new transitional government and worked to reconstruct Afghanistan through the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) framework.

The UK's role in the war

The War on Terror

The UK joined the US-led "War on Terror" following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which were orchestrated by al-Qaeda, a terrorist organisation that enjoyed the protection and support of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. When the Taliban refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, the UK joined the US and other nations in their efforts to bring al-Qaeda's leaders to justice, remove the Taliban from power, and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for international terrorists.

Military Engagement

The UK was at the forefront of international military efforts in Afghanistan, contributing to the removal of the Taliban regime and the establishment of a new government. British troops were involved in fighting an insurgency, creating and training the Afghan National Security Forces, and providing a secure environment for reconstruction and development. The UK supported NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and led it during its initial phase.

Provincial Reconstruction Teams

The UK established Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan to extend the reach of the Afghan government, promote development, and strengthen local political institutions. The first UK-led PRT was set up in Mazar-e-Sharif in 2003, followed by another in Meymaneh. The UK also led a PRT in Helmand province, focusing on improving governance, development, and security.

Training and Advising

The UK played a crucial role in training and advising the Afghan National Security Forces, helping to develop them into credible and capable units. British servicemen and women provided training, mentorship, and advice to their Afghan counterparts, contributing to the professionalisation and effectiveness of the Afghan forces.

Development and Reconstruction

Alongside military activities, the UK supported a wide range of development projects in Afghanistan. These included improving access to education, healthcare, and justice, as well as economic growth and local governance. The UK also supported demining efforts, empowering communities through the National Solidarity Programme, and promoting women's opportunities and participation in politics.

Withdrawal and Continued Support

In 2014, British combat troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan, marking the end of their combat role. However, the UK continued to provide training and advisory support to the Afghan National Security Forces. Additionally, the UK remained committed to supporting Afghanistan's development and stability, pledging financial assistance and coordinating efforts through the British Embassy in Kabul.

The war's impact on Afghanistan's economy and infrastructure

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country's economy and infrastructure.

Afghanistan's economy was already in a fragile state before the Taliban takeover in August 2021, suffering from severe drought, the COVID-19 pandemic, declining confidence in the government, falling international military spending, human and capital flight, and Taliban advances. The abrupt cutoff of civilian and security aid (more than $8 billion per year, equivalent to 40% of Afghanistan's GDP) immediately after the Taliban takeover exacerbated the economic shock. The economy has shrunk by 20-30% since August 2021, with many people losing their jobs and livelihoods, social services decimated, and poverty and hunger worsening.

The war and subsequent Taliban rule have also disrupted the financial sector, with the Central Bank of Afghanistan cut off from the international banking system and unable to access its foreign currency reserves. This has led to a liquidity crisis and nationwide shortages of banknotes, causing private banks to struggle with covering withdrawals. The lack of access to foreign currency reserves has also impacted the ability to manage the exchange rate, potentially leading to a collapse of the Afghan currency.

The war has also resulted in the loss of revenue for the Afghan government. The IMF estimates that conflict-related violence reduced annual national revenues in Afghanistan in 2016 by around 50%. The loss of fiscal revenues implies a potential fiscal "peace dividend" for Afghanistan if political reconciliation leads to peace.

In addition to the economic impacts, the war has also caused significant damage to Afghanistan's infrastructure. Continuous wars have largely destroyed the country's infrastructure, with only 7% of roads paved. This inadequate infrastructure equates to poor market access, further hindering economic growth.

The Taliban's resurgence and the US withdrawal

The Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan can be attributed to several factors, including:

• The Taliban's ability to exploit the lack of governance and security in the country, particularly in rural areas.
• Financial support from various sources, including drug trafficking, mining, extortion, taxes, charitable donations, exports, and real estate.
• The release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners as part of the US-Taliban deal in 2020.
• The reduction of US and NATO air attacks on the Taliban due to the US-Taliban agreement.
• The Taliban's effective use of propaganda and disinformation to sway local police and military units.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan can be understood in the context of the following key points:

• The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 aimed to destroy Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime from power.
• In 2011, US President Barack Obama set a timetable for withdrawing US troops, with a focus on counterterrorism and training Afghan security forces.
• In 2020, the Trump administration negotiated a withdrawal agreement with the Taliban, excluding the Afghan government, and reduced US troop levels.
• Despite signs that the Taliban was not complying with the agreement, Biden administration pushed ahead with the withdrawal, citing the need to end America's longest war.
• The withdrawal was completed on August 30, 2021, amid a rapid Taliban offensive and the fall of Kabul.
• The withdrawal was controversial, with criticism arising from both domestic and international sources.

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