Afghanistan confronts a dire "humanitarian catastrophe" under the watch of former CIA Director Petraeus
Petraeus Warns of Afghanistan Collapse Without Sustained Support
Former U.S. General David Petraeus has expressed concerns about the future of Afghanistan, suggesting that the large number of Afghans trying to leave the country is indicative of their unease under Taliban rule once again.
Petraeus, who served as the commander of U.S. Central Command and the head of the CIA, has been critical of the U.S. President Joe Biden's decision and timing of the U.S. troop withdrawal. He believes that the hasty exit could lead to a resurgence of extremist groups and a collapse of Afghan institutions.
Petraeus' concerns revolve around the potential inability of the Afghan government and security forces to maintain stability and prevent a Taliban takeover without sustained support. He has highlighted the challenges in preserving the gains made against the Taliban and al-Qaeda, emphasizing the importance of a strong, capable Afghan security apparatus to hold back the insurgency.
Petraeus has also pointed out the risks that political instability and assassination setbacks could thwart reconciliation efforts, thereby weakening prospects for a peaceful transition. He has cautioned that the accelerated timetable announced in 2011 for a complete pullout by 2014 necessitated a cautious evaluation of Afghan forces’ readiness to maintain control alone.
In addition to these concerns, Petraeus has expressed empathy towards those who served with U.S. forces on the ground, including interpreters, and believes there is a particular obligation to them. He expects tens of thousands, if not more, applicants for special immigration visas who have not yet been able to leave Afghanistan.
The humiliating exit and disappointing outcomes of the war in Afghanistan have raised concerns about the long-term effects of the withdrawal and the potential for Afghanistan to revert to instability or extremist control if international support diminishes too rapidly.
In summary, Petraeus believes that Afghanistan faces a serious risk of collapse to the Taliban or other extremist groups if U.S. troops withdraw before Afghan forces and governance structures are sufficiently robust to sustain security and stability.
Petraeus' concerns about Afghanistan's future extend beyond the immediate threat of Taliban rule, encompassing the potential economic and social policy challenges that might arise due to war-and-conflicts and political instability.
The former general also emphasizes the importance of addressing crime-and-justice issues, such as the potential for assassination setbacks and threats to reconciliation efforts, to facilitate a peaceful transition in the region and ensure general-news headlines do not continue to portray Afghanistan as a country in peril.
