Foreign Policy Catastrophe Looms in Afghanistan According to Röttgen
In the face of the Taliban's recent advance, capturing four provincial capitals including Kundus, the international community is responding primarily through humanitarian aid, human rights advocacy, and political pressure, rather than military intervention or recognition of the Taliban government.
Former Bundeswehr general Hans-Lothar Domröse has reacted with horror to the Taliban's advance, describing it as "tragic, but unfortunately predictable." Norbert Röttgen, a CDU foreign policy expert, shares this sentiment, urging to prevent the Taliban from capturing important cities or even Kabul by autumn. Röttgen believes that within months, what the Bundeswehr fought for 20 years could be lost.
The human rights crisis in Afghanistan, especially affecting women and girls, has escalated since the Taliban took over the country in August 2021. The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has established a Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan’s human rights situation and expanded the mandate to collect and preserve evidence of abuses. However, efforts to establish a stronger monitoring mechanism have faced challenges.
The Taliban, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), remains unrecognized internationally as the legitimate government. Countries have refrained from diplomatic recognition despite Taliban control over the territory. The international community is responding mainly through humanitarian aid, coping with severe challenges such as drought, poverty, and displacement. Aid agencies warn of a deteriorating humanitarian crisis, especially for women and children, with millions of Afghan refugees returning from Iran and Pakistan, straining fragile communities.
The focus on women’s rights and protection is another key aspect of the international response. The Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women’s education and employment, prompting strong international advocacy to protect women’s rights and provide basic services to women returnees and vulnerable populations. The Taliban has urged neighboring countries not to forcibly return Afghan refugees, advocating for dignified treatment. Meanwhile, organizations like the UN are calling for better support and reintegration programs to prevent social tensions and foster long-term peace.
Jürgen Hardt, another CDU foreign policy expert, describes the fall of Kundus as "bitter consequences of the decision to end international military aid in Afghanistan this summer." Hardt calls for more pressure from the West to advance the talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha. He believes that the international financial flow is the most important remaining lever to put pressure on the Afghan conflict parties.
In summary, the international community is engaged in sustained human rights advocacy, humanitarian response, and refugee support, while withholding formal recognition of the Taliban government and not attempting to directly reverse the Taliban’s control or restore security gains achieved over 20 years by forces including the Bundeswehr. Domröse fears that Afghanistan will suffer from civil war, death, and mourning.
The General News is covering the international community's response to the Taliban's advance and control over Afghanistan, which includes humanitarian aid, human rights advocacy, and political pressure, rather than military intervention or recognition of the Taliban government, as reported in the recent news articles. This response is a crucial aspect of the international community's efforts to combat the human rights crisis affecting women and girls in Afghanistan, as seen in the UN Human Rights Council's establishment of a Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan’s human rights situation. The focus on women’s rights and protection is another key aspect of this international response, with strong advocacy to protect women’s rights and provide basic services to women returnees and vulnerable populations.
