July 09, 2021

Afghanistan is the US’ responsibility, not liability

topic:	Peace and Reconciliation
located:	Afghanistan
editor:	Shadi Khan Saif

Let’s keep the records very clear for those with a short memory: the engagement of the US in Afghanistan did not start with the invasion of 2001 following the 9/11 attacks.

As President Biden keeps shrugging his shoulders while pulling American troops out of war-ravaged Afghanistan and arrogantly turns down responsibilities of nation-building here, he and the rest of the world need to remember the United States’ role in bringing about the devastation in the country.

Biden needs to remember his vote in support of the US’ involvement in arming and supporting the Afghan insurgent groups in the 1980s. He should remember the US abandoning Afghanistan when those groups started engaging in a deadly turf war, reducing the beautiful capital city, Kabul, to rubbles and, literally, toppling the state. 

Millions of Afghans lost their lives, limbs and honour, and, above all, their functioning state back when the US and its Arab allies turned their backs on Afghanistan after forcing the Soviet forces to exit on the heels of the Cold War.

Acknowledging the more than 20 years of generous support by the international community for an array of social and development work in Afghanistan, it is quite hear-breaking to see the current politicisation of these efforts and framing of the narratives in factually wrong ways for momentary domestic gains by world powers, regardless of the consequences.

Instead of promoting the strongmen, engaging in political patchwork and stoking divisions, the US with is significant clout could have, and should now, push for true reforms and justice in Afghanistan, not only for the sustainable peace and development of the country but for the sake of all the American lives lost and resources spent so far in Afghanistan.

 The US invaded Afghanistan in pursuit of Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups and individuals in 2001, but the world knows primarily of their most-wanted terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, who was a US ally against the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 19790-80s and then became the architect of the deadly 9/11 attacks; Bin Laden was found and killed in neighboring Pakistan.  

Without getting lost in the complex debate of ever-changing strategic priorities of the super power, let us measure what Afghanistan got and what it lost on both times it got engaged with the mighty United States. 

Afghanistan was a relatively peaceful and functioning state before the Soviet invasion and subsequent anti-government rebellion supported by the US. But, later, millions of its people got killed, injured and displaced.

This time, as the US prepares to leave, Afghanistan has again - thanks to generous international and American support - became a relatively functioning state; but the total abandonment of the US now causes grim fears of yet another collapse. 

Biden and his team have every right to determine the actions of their troops as per their own calculations, but labelling Afghanistan as a liability instead of responsibility is simply an injustice to history.

Image: Todd Jacobucci. 

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