Has Afghanistan Fallen? The Implications and Reflections

Afghanistan stands at a critical juncture in its history, grappling with the aftermath of a government collapse and the rise of the Taliban. Given the extensive coverage of this event, it is essential to dissect the current state of affairs, its implications, and the lessons that can be drawn from the events that transpired.

Defining a Failed State

A failed state is characterized by a non-functional government that has lost or surrendered control and is unable to meet the primary needs of its people. By all accounts, it appears that the Taliban have taken control of the state and are functioning as the de facto government. However, at the present moment, they are largely unrecognized by other countries. The official government, which still holds the title, is in exile for most nations. This unrecognised structure has created significant complications for both Afghanistan and its international relations.

Inevitability of Taliban Rule

The Taliban takeover is inevitable. They now hold the reins, and it will be a matter of proper recognition from the United Nations and the world at large. The fall of Kabul was just a precursor to this fundamental shift. Many liberals and conservatives have foolishly dreamed of re-entering Afghanistan to liberate women, but the reality is stark. The Taliban had already beaten the mighty USA, and the notion of liberating women now seems more like a pipe dream. The Afghan war, focused as it was on this narrative, has cost over $2 trillion, an amount that has primarily enriched the military-industrial complex and resource extraction industries.

The Afghan War as a Failure

The Afghan War, an endeavor that began with high hopes and large-scale military involvement, ultimately served as a massive scam. This war has been criticized for enriching the military-industrial complex, leaving a significant portion of the Afghan population uninformed about the true motives behind it. Veterans, who believed in the cause, tragically paid the ultimate price for a war that yielded no substantial benefits, especially when compared to the resources and lives lost. The American-backed government was shockingly incompetent, leading to the swift fall of the country within just two weeks after the withdrawal. This is a stark contrast to South Vietnam, where the government held on for more than a year after the US withdrawal.

Consequences and Cost

The fall of the Afghan government, the collapse of the army, the leadership abandoning the country, and the chaotic escape of American forces all point to a systemic failure. The government's fall was as sudden and dramatic as a house of cards collapsing, the army melted away like an ice cream on a hot day, the president fled like a rat, and the "Saigon Moment" of the American public was once again replicated. The Taliban took Kabul without firing a shot, highlighting the futility and irrelevance of the previous years of conflict. The $2 trillion and 20 years of effort were wasted, and could have been better spent on addressing pressing social issues such as homelessness, student debt, and improving healthcare infrastructure.

Conclusion

As we reflect on the current state of Afghanistan, it is clear that the nation is now in a new chapter, navigating the challenges brought about by the Taliban's rule. The world must now find a way to engage with a new reality, one that will require careful diplomacy and understanding to ensure humanitarian aid and stability for the Afghan people. The lessons of this event are profound and must be heeded to prevent such failures in the future.