Trump and Biden's Bungled Afghanistan Strategies: A shameful mistake we all pay for
Recent reports suggest that Taliban leaders have close ties to Al-Qaida, allowing them to increase their freedom of movement in Afghanistan. The UN has confirmed this, adding that Al-Qaida's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has been frequently releasing videos praising the greater freedom and appearing in eight of them since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August.
Moreover, the UN report highlights the appointment of 41 Taliban members who are on the UN's sanctions list to influential government positions, including Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. Haqqani, an Al-Qaida leader and an FBI's most wanted fugitive, has been a critical figure in Taliban's control of important ministries such as Interior and Intelligence.
This dismal situation stems from the Trump administration's controversial peace agreement with the Taliban, which failed to address the group's connection to terrorist organizations. President Biden has been criticized for following through with this agreement, leading to the pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, undermining peace efforts, and strengthening the Taliban's grip on power.
Direct negotiations between the Trump administration and the Taliban started in 2018, resulting in an agreement where U.S. troops would withdraw from Afghanistan. However, this agreement wasn't approved by the U.S. Senate and was primarily negotiated with a terrorist group that failed to adhere to its conditions. The Taliban refused to disavow its association with Al-Qaida and refused to participate in genuine peace talks with the democratically elected Afghan government.
Despite acknowledging the Taliban's lack of commitment to counterterrorism, the Biden administration has continued negotiations with the group. The U.S. administration, too, has been criticized for its weak response to the Taliban's violation of women's rights and its ongoing association with Al-Qaida.
In 2021, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken acknowledged that the Taliban had yet to meet their commitment to break ties with terrorist organizations, but stated that the U.S. would engage with the Taliban "wherever it makes sense." This move was criticized for undermining U.S. credibility and sending the wrong message to the Taliban and other terrorist groups.
Furthermore, the Taliban has yet to conclusively disavow its association with Al-Qaida. A UN report states that the Taliban has used its control of Afghanistan to attract new members and resources for Al-Qaida. The report also notes that Al-Qaida's leadership remains in Afghanistan, primarily in the provinces of Zabul, Kunar, and the east-border regions with Pakistan.
It is important to emphasize that the Trump administration had adopted a peace agreement with a terrorist organization, which has since violated many of its conditions. Biden, on the other hand, has been criticized for his lackluster response to the Taliban's actions and continued association with Al-Qaida.
These failures have resulted in an unstable and dangerous environment in Afghanistan, with the Taliban violating human rights, particularly the rights of women. The group has imposed restrictions on girls' education and women's movement and employment, and has been accused of numerous human rights violations.
The U.S. and the international community have been facing criticism for their seemingly lackadaisical response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Limiting support and humanitarian aid can exacerbate the situation for women and children, who are already suffering from the Taliban's policies.
Moreover, the U.S. has been accused of undermining its own credibility by engaging with a terrorist organization that has failed to meet its commitments, including disavowing its connection with Al-Qaida. The U.S. has also been criticized for its failure to address the Taliban's human rights abuses, especially toward women.
To sum up, the Biden administration's strategy in Afghanistan has been criticized for its failure to address the Taliban's association with Al-Qaida and ongoing human rights abuses, particularly toward women. The administration's decision to continue negotiating with the Taliban without addressing these concerns has been criticized for undermining U.S. credibility and sending the wrong message to the Taliban and other terrorist organizations.
[1] Aboulafia, M. (2021, September 1). Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal plan is a mess, and it'll get worse. CNN.
[2] Burke, E. (2021, August 20). Taliban's Violent Takeover Puts Women's Rights at Risk, U.N. Experts Say. Human Rights Watch.
[3] United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. (2021, September). Afghanistan. United Nations.
