Those who left and those who could not flee speak of a country in ruins and decry the world’s apathy towards the humanitarian crisis and the lack of rights, mainly for women, which a UN report describes as ‘gender apartheid’
Gotta love all the 'muricans trying to defend their exceptionalism and blaming Afghanistan and its people for the country’s woes.
USA never cared about Afghanistan or its people. In the 1980s, it, along with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and United Kingdom, helped fund the muhajideen fighting against the Soviet Union (Soviet-Afghan war). As soon as the war was over and the soviets retreated, the funding dried up.
After 9/11, USA went into a bloodlust, invading Afghanistan because they (Taliban) wanted proof that Osama bin Laden was involved with the terrorist attack first. bin Laden fled to Pakistan, but the USA didn’t invade them, nor threatened to. Instead, USA just kept their boots on foreign soil because, hey, free real state and cheap poppy, amirite?
Also, since at least 2010, it’s been publicly known that Pakistan has been helping the Taliban in fighting for Afghanistan. Yet, there were no sanctions, no tough talks, no threats, nothing, against Pakistan.
After 9/11, USA went into a bloodlust, invading Afghanistan because they (Taliban) wanted proof that Osama bin Laden was involved with the terrorist attack first. bin Laden fled to Pakistan, but the USA didn’t invade them, nor threatened to. Instead, USA just kept their boots on foreign soil because, hey, free real state and cheap poppy, amirite?
What do you think should happen going forward? How should the US address this? How should your country, and the rest of the UN address this?
It’s very easy to look at the past and just lay blame. I can’t and won’t argue with you on any of that (except the Mujahideen but I’ve discussed that in a different comment). Looking forward however, I don’t see any paths that aren’t just a retread of what was already done. And I don’t know if we could’ve done anything differently which would have a good chance of leading to a different outcome. I legitimately want to know what you think, because I’m at a loss.
Considering that some tribes still remembered and resented the British from their colonial abuses, you can bet your ass Afghanis won’t forgive the USA anytime soon. If any president actually had the balls and humility to admit the USA fucked up big time, committed an international crime and several war crimes, and was actually willing to work together with the current government, under certain conditions, like ensuring women regain some of their lost rights, to repair some of those wrongs, that would go a long way. It’s not going to happen, and my guess is mainly because many other countries would start to pester the USA to admit wrongdoings against them, too.
It’s very easy to look at the past and just lay blame
The irony is that USA apparently didn’t learn anything from invading Vietnam, or watching the soviets invade Afghanistan 20 years prior.
As for what I think, apparently Pakistan and Iran will step in and work as “good neighbors”. Women will still be treated like slaves and neither neighbor will bat an eye, which is horrible. If the Taliban is still being so heavily helped by the Pakistani government, then Afghanistan will just be their puppet. In that case, pressuring Pakistan to pressure the Taliban into being less radical would be more likely to yield results with lower resistance. Considering that the USA never hinted at strong arming Pakistan, despite having several bases on their territory AND knowing of their ties with Taliban, then that is unlikely to happen in the future. The “why” for that is what I’d love to know.
It’s also rather weird when you look at Iran-Pakistan relations, which seem to be very good, despite one being a USA bogeyman and the other being an ally.
Gotta love all the 'muricans trying to defend their exceptionalism and blaming Afghanistan and its people for the country’s woes.
USA never cared about Afghanistan or its people. In the 1980s, it, along with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and United Kingdom, helped fund the muhajideen fighting against the Soviet Union (Soviet-Afghan war). As soon as the war was over and the soviets retreated, the funding dried up.
After 9/11, USA went into a bloodlust, invading Afghanistan because they (Taliban) wanted proof that Osama bin Laden was involved with the terrorist attack first. bin Laden fled to Pakistan, but the USA didn’t invade them, nor threatened to. Instead, USA just kept their boots on foreign soil because, hey, free real state and cheap poppy, amirite?
Also, since at least 2010, it’s been publicly known that Pakistan has been helping the Taliban in fighting for Afghanistan. Yet, there were no sanctions, no tough talks, no threats, nothing, against Pakistan.
Just to add to your point.
From way before 9-11
Before the Invasion
After the invasion.
What do you think should happen going forward? How should the US address this? How should your country, and the rest of the UN address this?
It’s very easy to look at the past and just lay blame. I can’t and won’t argue with you on any of that (except the Mujahideen but I’ve discussed that in a different comment). Looking forward however, I don’t see any paths that aren’t just a retread of what was already done. And I don’t know if we could’ve done anything differently which would have a good chance of leading to a different outcome. I legitimately want to know what you think, because I’m at a loss.
Considering that some tribes still remembered and resented the British from their colonial abuses, you can bet your ass Afghanis won’t forgive the USA anytime soon. If any president actually had the balls and humility to admit the USA fucked up big time, committed an international crime and several war crimes, and was actually willing to work together with the current government, under certain conditions, like ensuring women regain some of their lost rights, to repair some of those wrongs, that would go a long way. It’s not going to happen, and my guess is mainly because many other countries would start to pester the USA to admit wrongdoings against them, too.
The irony is that USA apparently didn’t learn anything from invading Vietnam, or watching the soviets invade Afghanistan 20 years prior.
As for what I think, apparently Pakistan and Iran will step in and work as “good neighbors”. Women will still be treated like slaves and neither neighbor will bat an eye, which is horrible. If the Taliban is still being so heavily helped by the Pakistani government, then Afghanistan will just be their puppet. In that case, pressuring Pakistan to pressure the Taliban into being less radical would be more likely to yield results with lower resistance. Considering that the USA never hinted at strong arming Pakistan, despite having several bases on their territory AND knowing of their ties with Taliban, then that is unlikely to happen in the future. The “why” for that is what I’d love to know.
It’s also rather weird when you look at Iran-Pakistan relations, which seem to be very good, despite one being a USA bogeyman and the other being an ally.