AFGHANISTAN: ANY PATH TO PEACE, PROSPERITY AND FREEDOM ?

Some Afghan girls pictured taking a walk with a US soldier in Kabul, Afghanistan.

September 11, 2001 remains the most horrific day in America history, by extension, the world. The day the resolve and might of America's super power was tested and threatened. There was an attack on America soil, the World Trade Centre in New York City and The Pentagon, and a reported threat of attack on the United States Capitol and/or the White House. These attacks claimed hundreds of lives and left scores injured. 

President George Bush was quoted in an address to the nation, that, "...today, our nation saw evil...". The day remains America's day of terror and the worst ever attack on U.S soil. 

What was left after the attack was the resolve, commitment, vouches and 'threat' of President Bush's Presidency that America will get justice for the families involved. The Bush Administration promised a "crusade" with the "full-wrath" of the United States. It was also a clear and bold assertion in campaigns of President Barack Obama as he sought to be the 44th President of the United States. 

Down the line, the world experienced an upturn of events, changes and reviews of foreign policies, agreements, Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), and various interpersonal relationships between governments and corporate establishments and companies, in most cases, with America. The United States government reviewed many of her positions in world affairs and talks with other nations that have possible ties with Afghanistan (where the terror was said to have originated from) and her allies. America placed many Middle East nations on visa ban and instituted very stringent measures at her borders. 

America claimed the deadly terror organisation, Al-Qaeda was responsible for the attack on U.S soil and vouched to bring the organisation down to its knees, witnessing the wrath and power of the United States. President Obama's Presidency succeeded in killing Osama Bin Laden, the leader of the terrorist organisation. Of note, the administration of President Donald Trump also brought down Abubakar Al-Baghdadi, the supposed successor of Bin Laden in an air strike in Iran. 

America has shown the world her seriousness, commitment and of course, mightiest powers in many of her actions to punish those that brought terror to its land. 

Above all else, the United States has mobilised thousands of her troops to Afghanistan since 9/11, coordinating military responses and attacks to terror groups in and within the Middle East. 

The Taliban group has been a serious headache to the United States government under many Presidencies, just like many other terrorist organisations had been to the world. Of note, President Ronald Reagan met the pioneer leader(s) of Taliban in the Oval Office in 1983. 

"According to the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum, the photo was captured on Feb. 2, 1983, and shows Reagan meeting with Afghan "freedom fighters" in the Oval Office" to discuss Soviet atrocities in Afghanistan." (PolitiFact noted.)

President Ronald Reagan meeting with Mujahideen leaders in the Oval office, 1983.

President Reagan and Ibrahim Azam.

It is expressed that the Reagan Presidency helped in funding of the Mujahideen to aid their fight against the Soviets. The U.S. pulled the funding after the Soviets retreated and later the Taliban was formed. 

Mullah Omar, the founder of Taliban movement, was one of the numerous followers of Ibrahim Adam during the days of Mujahideen struggles in Afghanistan. He was a significant part in the strife against the Soviet Union between 1979 to 1989. So, it is safe to say some of the Mujahideen may have become part of the Taliban a decade after the meeting happened in the White House; the two groups have a lot in common and in history. 

After the Soviets flew in humiliation or were defeated, America appeared as the next 'super power' to wade in. Succeeding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the U.S. encroached to oust the Taliban regime, which had given a home to Al-Qaeda's leader, Osama bin Laden. 

After nearly two decades, the U.S. announced the end of war in Afghanistan, withdrawing the last American troops on ground. It left behind the U.S-allied government of Afghanistan, riven and riddled by corruption and division, which also has to fend off the advancement of Taliban insurgents amidst peace talks. 

After the withdrawal of the Americans, the fear of many Afghans is what the next chapter of their lives will be, seeing their country plunge into chaos and inter-factional fighting among the warlords, - the Taliban regime, America, friends/foes in the Middle East and the resistant army of the Vice President of Afghanistan, Amrullah Saleh that had refused to flee like the President, Ashraf Ghani did. An act the world sees as cowardice. 

A humanitarian crisis is tickling like a time bomb. Or is it happening already? The economic, social and political welfare of Afghans is threatened with the overrunning of Kabul, Afghanistan capital, few weeks ago by the Taliban. Western politicians have couched on the leverage of this crisis to talk about the human rights issues that have arose, yet, trying to ensure their Afghan friends retain power in the new government. 

Sadly, one would think that America's 20 years of war was a benign and helpful effort to advance the country or bring it out from the shackles of terrorists, free Afghan women and girls, make provision for healthcare, education and jobs. These have been swept away by the overpowering coming of the Taliban. Even questioning its devotion to justice on the perpetrators of 9/11 attack as quick as it wants to justify it. 

The United States spent $2.26trillion on its war in Afghanistan. In reality, spending that amount should have taken the citizens of the country out of poverty. Unfortunately, the vast bulk of this money was spent on keeping the military and their occupation and presence in Afghanistan. 

The new Taliban regime are known to have a history of taking controversial stands, especially on their mode of governance and respect for human rights. In Afghanistan and across the world, the Taliban are known for their brand of Islam and their maintenance of a worrying and questionable social order. The Afghan people are in fear. The peace, prosperity and freedom of the Afghans have been negotiated for a tentative control of the American troops. They now have a security force that has disintegrated, with soldiers returning to their villages or pledging alliance with the Taliban. 

US Marine corps pictured in Kabul, Afghanistan. Source: staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla - Public Domain.

The unending violence of the U.S-occupied Afghanistan, the intractable poverty level and corruption index of the Afghan government boosted popular support and victory for the Taliban in rural environments where a considerable fraction of Afghans live. 

Afghans today question how the occupation of America and other Western countries could still leave them in abject poverty. Yet, living in fear of their fate in the hands of the Taliban.  

World observers, commentators and concerned patriots of human livelihood look forward to a second economic war. This will happen if the U.S lives up to its promise of withholding various grants and aids, which it usually gives to the Afghan government. No doubt, and should this happen, a torrid time of famine and hunger awaits the Afghan people and with it comes the attendant humanitarian crisis, - a sample of which has already been seen with the citizens of the country fighting tooth and nail to get on the planes evacuating refugees to the U.S.

Hopefully, however, the 40 million Afghans who could not flee the country and have been forced to see the optimistic side of a systemic turn of events will have no cause to regret their actions. This can only happen if America and other Western and European allies find a different way to defeat the widespread influence of the Taliban regime or rather establish a 'diplomatic approach ' with the current rulers (if the Taliban are willing), and consider releasing emergency economic aids to the teaming hungry and hopeless population. Very appealingly, America should be consenting to turn a page from its fading capacity as global giant, hegemon, and see why meaningful and collective contributions should be given breath. 

Without mincing words, the road to Afghans' freedom, peace and prosperity is narrow, yet, possible (even if it will be ephemeral).

AbdulAzeez, AbdulMaleek,

8th Regional Director.