I wrote this after Kabul fell to the Taliban, for the FPJ on 23rd of August 2021

The Taliban is back in Afghanistan. With their signature brutality, sadism, and hate for all others not like them.

Twenty years ago, the American state decided to make war on the people of Afghanistan in retaliation for the 9/11 bombings by Saudi and Pakistani terrorists.  The world cheered as the Taliban that ruled Afghanistan with brutality and sadism, fled. Twenty years later, the world looks on stunned, as the Taliban returned to Kabul, imposing the brutality they are associated with. It seems that 20 years of bloodshed and trillions of dollars later, nothing has changed for the Afghan people, except that the Taliban has returned, with the international community’s acceptance. 

As all other conflicts, there are winners and losers. The Afghan War that started in 2001, has finally ended 20 years later, with the United States running back home, leaving the Taliban as victors. And, with the Taliban will return all the myriad terror groups that have wreaked havoc across the world, including the Al Qaeda. According to the United Nations, the Al Qaeda is not just back, it is also present in at least 15 provinces. Some of the most deadly terrorists in the world have won by wearing down some of the most powerful armies in the world.

The biggest loser is the United States of America. An empire in decline since the end of the Vietnam War, the United States simply does not have the stomach to finish the wars it starts. It’s misadventures in the name of democracy has left blighted nations, and broken people not just in its neighbourhood, but also ours.  The hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the equally rapid advance of the Taliban has damaged American reputation, as well as the myth of American Exceptionalism. The United Kingdom – the other main player in this war – looks punier than it has ever done before. The decline of its empire began with Afghanistan, well over a century ago. And it seems that this war, is the death knell of what remains of the nation’s stature. And, finally the EU, which seemed to have sleepwalked its way into Afghanistan, is still figuring out what its stance ought to be.

Apart from the Taliban, the Al Qaeda and other assorted terror groups, the winner is also Pakistan – the motherlode of terrorism in the modern age. It’s support of extreme Islamist causes, and groups derives out of its need for respect and validation as the leader of Islamists globally. It is likely that in the months ahead, Pakistan will start playing a larger role. The role that it occupied on the world stage before 2001 – as the gateway to Afghanistan is back.

China is the other major winner. It is likely to fill the vacuum left by the unceremonious exit of the western powers. It is likely to pour billions of dollars into Afghanistan, strengthening both the Belt and RoadInitiative, as well as use Afghan soil to build the oil pipeline from the Middle East, cutting out an expensive sea journey.  

As far as India is concerned, this is a loss. India was heavily invested in the idea of an Afghanistan free of Islamist fundamentalism. It worked with the Western powers, and the civilian government of Afghanistan to see that come to pass. India was a major player in Afghanistan in the last two decade – helping rebuild the nation. We were involved in rebuilding infrastructure, education, training, and capacity building. We built roads and dams, schools and hospitals, libraries and offices. We even built their new Parliament. But, in the new normal, it is unlikely that India will have any role to play in Afghanistan.  The Taliban hates India and Indians on so many levels, that it is going to be difficult, if not impossible, to do business with them. And India now has to confront the idea of an entire western flank made up of nations and government that acutely dislike us. 

And finally, squashed between the winners and losers are the Afghan people, almost destined to relive their brutal and bloody history over and over again. As we see scenes of mothers handling over babies to departing western forces, we can get a sense of the future people expect. Most vulnerable are the women in Afghanistan. At best the Taliban sees them as furniture, with the rights of furniture. And at worst as sex slaves bound to the men of Taliban, with only two functions – sex and procreation.  

United States and western powers have betrayed the Afghan people, and left them at the mercy of a medieval, woman hating, modernity despising, ragtag mob. These men aim to take the people of Afghanistan to the dark ages, backed by the armaments of the 21st century. And, those who occupied Afghanistan for the last 20 years did not just allow it, but enabled it.