[The Editors' Verdict] Kabul's Misery Returns as Global Suffering

When U.S. President Joe Biden announced in April that American troops would be completely withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11, no one anticipated the situation unfolding as it has now. At best, there was a vague assumption that the U.S. would end its involvement in Afghanistan around the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which might lead to changes in American foreign policy.

However, as time passed, the situation took a strange turn. As soon as the U.S. troop withdrawal began in early May, the Taliban rapidly took control of Afghanistan at a frightening pace. By August, the situation became even more urgent. The capital, Kabul, fell with an almost disheartening ease, and the U.S. military left Afghanistan as if being chased out. The world was horrified by images of Afghans clinging to transport planes and falling to their deaths in desperate attempts to escape.

Afghans are worried that the reign of terror experienced during the Taliban’s previous rule from 1996 to 2001 will be repeated. Few seem to take the Taliban’s announcement that they “will not seek revenge” at face value. The new Taliban faction appears to be trying to present a changed image?respecting human rights on the surface?in order to be recognized as a legitimate state by the international community, learning from past failures.

However, it does not seem that they have fundamentally changed. Reports from Kabul indicate that Taliban members are committing acts of violence against women who do not wear burqas.

With what can only be described as a ‘disorderly’ withdrawal, President Joe Biden faces the greatest crisis of his political career. Criticism of the clumsy response is growing not only from the Republican Party but also within the Democratic Party. Over the past 20 years, the U.S. has failed to transform Afghanistan into a democratic nation and, despite spending a staggering $1 trillion on the war, has ultimately only strengthened the Taliban’s momentum.

American media outlets are not hesitating to label this withdrawal operation a ‘major failure.’ Even after the troop withdrawal, the U.S. is expected to face significant turmoil both domestically and internationally.

This crisis is not limited to the U.S. and Afghanistan alone. The world fears the aftershocks. Reports are already emerging that Islamic extremists are gathering in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Afghanistan is becoming a cradle for jihadists (Islamic militants). Neighboring countries such as China, Pakistan, India, and Russia, which share borders with Afghanistan, are closely monitoring the situation and taking active measures.

The greater danger than the Taliban providing a safe haven for jihadists is the psychological impact. The Taliban’s declaration of “victory” over the world’s most powerful nation, the U.S., has emboldened Islamic armed groups. To them, the Taliban represent an exemplary case of overthrowing a government through jihad (holy war). The Economist warned, “The event where ‘holy warriors’ drove out the U.S. with willpower, patience, and cunning will be seen by Muslims seeking to overthrow secular governments as a sign of divine blessing,” adding that “the repercussions will be far-reaching and long-lasting.”

European countries are deeply concerned not only about terrorism but also about refugees. The refugee issue risks dividing public opinion and potentially fueling the growth of far-right forces. Watching the Afghan government forces, numbering 300,000, collapse helplessly before the Taliban’s 70,000 fighters, global leaders must learn an essential lesson: public sentiment can turn against a corrupt and incompetent government at any time, even if the alternative is a ruthless organization like the Taliban.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.