John --

The Taliban and Afghanistan

Background: Since the overthrow of the last King of Afghanistan, the country became a battleground for a proxy war between the United States and the USSR. Following the collapse of the latter, the Taliban assumed control of the nation and allowed religious extremists led by Osama Bin Laden to build Al-Qaeda. 

Following the attacks on 9/11, the United States responded by overthrowing the Taliban and seeking out those responsible for the attack. Unfortunately, as evidenced by what we saw on Sunday, August 15, just shy of 20 years after the invasion, the efforts to create a country governed by the Afghan people, for the Afghan people was a complete failure. The Taliban have retaken complete control of the nation, while the former leaders have sought refuge in nearby countries.

Current Situation: While the world is in shock at the swiftness and speed by which the Taliban assumed control, it should not come as a surprise that they have been successful. The Trump Administration gave legitimacy to the Taliban through discussions of sanction relief and prisoner exchanges. Following that, the Biden Administration proudly declared a date for full withdrawal.

All the Taliban had to do was wait.   

On Sunday August 15th, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as the Taliban took Kabul. The post-Taliban government charged with protecting the wellbeing of Afghanistan is now spoken about in the past tense, just like the last King of Afghanistan. The United States, the United Kingdom, France among many other Western democracies are frantically evacuating their embassies, while Russian, Turkey and China are maintaining theirs. This is not simply a transfer of one administration to another, or one ruling coalition conceding an election defeat. This is a complete reversion, and an outright defeat to the same Taliban that allowed the bin Laden inspired brand of extremism to fester, while brutally and mercilessly torturing, both physically and psychologically, a generation of innocent Afghans. 

Over the last 20 years, four Administrations of both parties have devoted blood and treasure to ensure the Taliban do not return to power, promising they will not allow such a day to come. Tragically, that day was Sunday August 15th. Right now, we need not quibble over why it happened or how it could have been prevented; instead, we need to ensure that the citizens of Afghanistan who are facing near certain death and torture be given an opportunity to simply live.

The world bore witness last time this happened. Therefore we urge Congress and the Administration to commit to the following:

1. Guarantee safe passage for Afghan civilians and contractors who engaged the US military.

   • Creating a “safe-zone” within Afghanistan where the vulnerable can remain safe while their entry to the United States is being finalized 

2. Commit to removing quota limits for Afghan Refugees

3. Immediate unconditional ceasefire

4. Invest in Afghan Civil society for development and humanitarian aid

5. Working with regional actors and holding them accountable

6. Ensuring that in the very least, the basic human rights of Afghans are being prioritized by holding the Taliban accountable-- they must know the consequences of not doing so

 Join us Tuesday August 24th for a panel discussion with experts who share their experiences as Afghan-Americans and their work in senior roles in government and civil society. The conversation will focus on the evolving crisis and what the U.S. should do from here.