Taliban Celebrate 3 Years in Power After Chaotic Biden-Harris Afghanistan Withdrawal: A Grim Anniversary and Its Global Implications

Introduction

Three years ago, the world watched in shock as the Taliban rapidly reclaimed control of Afghanistan following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces under the Biden-Harris administration. The images of desperate Afghans clinging to aircraft, the tragic deaths of U.S. service members during the evacuation, and the swift collapse of the Afghan government are etched into the collective memory as symbols of a crisis that marked the end of America’s longest war.

As the Taliban celebrate their three-year hold on power, many are reflecting on the consequences of that withdrawal. Benjamin Hall, a Fox News correspondent, offers his perspective on this grim anniversary, exploring the far-reaching effects of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan and the resulting shift in geopolitical dynamics. This article delves into the key events of the chaotic withdrawal, the impact of Taliban rule on Afghanistan, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy and global security.

The Chaotic U.S. Withdrawal: A Recap

The Decision to Withdraw

In April 2021, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. would fully withdraw its remaining troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The decision was seen as a continuation of the process initiated by the Trump administration, which had negotiated a deal with the Taliban in February 2020. The agreement, known as the Doha Agreement, set a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. forces in exchange for Taliban promises to reduce violence and engage in peace talks with the Afghan government.

However, as the U.S. withdrawal began, the situation in Afghanistan deteriorated rapidly. The Afghan military, despite years of training and billions of dollars in U.S. support, was unable to withstand the Taliban’s advance. Provincial capitals fell one by one, often with little resistance, and by mid-August, the Taliban had entered Kabul. The speed of the Taliban’s takeover took both the U.S. and the international community by surprise.

The Fall of Kabul

On August 15, 2021, the Afghan capital of Kabul fell to the Taliban. President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, and the Afghan government effectively collapsed. The fall of Kabul marked the culmination of the Taliban’s swift and decisive military campaign, which had taken just weeks to dismantle two decades of U.S.-led efforts to build a stable Afghan state.

The scenes at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul during the U.S. evacuation became emblematic of the chaos. Thousands of Afghans, desperate to escape the Taliban’s return to power, flooded the airport, leading to scenes of panic and desperation. In one tragic incident, a suicide bombing outside the airport, claimed by ISIS-K, killed 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghan civilians.

The evacuation operation, which continued until the final U.S. military flight departed on August 30, 2021, successfully airlifted over 120,000 people from Afghanistan. However, it also left behind thousands of Afghans who had worked alongside U.S. forces, as well as American citizens and permanent residents, fueling criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal.

A Tarnished Legacy

The chaotic nature of the withdrawal and the subsequent collapse of the Afghan government have left a lasting mark on the Biden administration’s foreign policy legacy. Critics argue that the withdrawal was poorly planned and executed, leading to unnecessary loss of life, the abandonment of Afghan allies, and the erosion of U.S. credibility on the global stage. The withdrawal has been compared to the fall of Saigon in 1975, with both events symbolizing the end of long and costly U.S. military engagements that ultimately failed to achieve their objectives.

Supporters of the withdrawal, on the other hand, argue that the decision to end America’s longest war was necessary and overdue. They contend that the U.S. could not continue to sustain a military presence in Afghanistan indefinitely and that the responsibility for the collapse of the Afghan government lies with Afghan leaders who failed to unite and defend their country.

Regardless of where one stands on the issue, the withdrawal from Afghanistan has had profound consequences for both Afghanistan and the world.

Taliban Rule: Three Years of Repression and Crisis

The Taliban’s Return to Power

For the Taliban, the U.S. withdrawal and their subsequent return to power were seen as a major victory. After two decades of fighting against U.S. and NATO forces, the Taliban were able to reclaim control of Afghanistan without significant international resistance. They quickly moved to consolidate power, reestablishing their Islamic Emirate and implementing their interpretation of Sharia law across the country.

Despite initial promises of moderation, the Taliban have reverted to many of the harsh practices that characterized their previous rule in the late 1990s. Women’s rights, in particular, have been severely curtailed, with girls banned from attending secondary school and women largely excluded from public life. The Taliban’s restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and media have also stifled dissent and silenced civil society.

A Humanitarian Catastrophe

The return of the Taliban has triggered a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions in Afghanistan. The country’s economy, already fragile, has collapsed, leading to widespread poverty, hunger, and unemployment. International sanctions and the freezing of Afghan assets abroad have further exacerbated the situation, leaving millions of Afghans struggling to survive.

The United Nations has warned that over half of Afghanistan’s population—more than 22 million people—faces acute food insecurity. The health care system is on the brink of collapse, with hospitals lacking basic supplies and medical professionals fleeing the country. The harsh winter months have only compounded the suffering, with many Afghans forced to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families.

The plight of Afghan women and girls has drawn particular international concern. The Taliban’s ban on secondary education for girls, restrictions on women’s employment, and the reimposition of strict dress codes have effectively erased two decades of progress on women’s rights. Reports of forced marriages, gender-based violence, and the targeting of women activists have further highlighted the dire situation for women in Afghanistan.

A Crumbling Security Situation

While the Taliban have largely succeeded in consolidating their control over Afghanistan, the security situation remains precarious. The emergence of ISIS-K, the Islamic State’s affiliate in Afghanistan, poses a significant threat to the Taliban’s authority. ISIS-K has carried out a series of high-profile attacks, including the deadly bombing at Kabul airport during the U.S. evacuation, and continues to target both Taliban fighters and civilian populations.

In addition to the threat from ISIS-K, the Taliban face internal divisions and challenges to their leadership. Factionalism within the Taliban ranks, driven by differences over governance, ideology, and tribal affiliations, has the potential to undermine the group’s stability. Furthermore, the resurgence of resistance movements, particularly in northern Afghanistan, raises the possibility of renewed conflict in the country.

The Global Implications of the U.S. Withdrawal

Erosion of U.S. Credibility

The chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has had significant repercussions for America’s global standing. Allies and adversaries alike have questioned the reliability of U.S. commitments and the effectiveness of its foreign policy. The withdrawal has been cited as a factor in the emboldening of authoritarian regimes, such as Russia and China, which have sought to challenge U.S. influence in their respective regions.

The withdrawal also strained relationships with key U.S. allies, particularly those in NATO who had participated in the Afghan mission. European leaders expressed frustration with the lack of consultation and coordination during the withdrawal, leading to calls for greater European autonomy in defense policy.

The Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal has also affected its domestic political standing, with critics on both sides of the aisle questioning the administration’s competence and decision-making. The withdrawal has become a central issue in debates over U.S. foreign policy, with implications for future military engagements and America’s role in the world.

A Power Vacuum in Afghanistan

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan created a power vacuum that has been filled by the Taliban and, to a lesser extent, by other regional actors. Countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan have sought to increase their influence in Afghanistan, each pursuing their own strategic interests.

China, for example, has expressed interest in expanding its Belt and Road Initiative into Afghanistan, while Russia has maintained diplomatic ties with the Taliban and sought to assert its influence in Central Asia. Iran, which shares a border with Afghanistan, has engaged with the Taliban while also supporting Shiite groups opposed to the Sunni extremist group. Pakistan, long accused of providing support to the Taliban, continues to play a complex role in the region, balancing its relationship with the Taliban against its own security concerns.

The involvement of these regional powers has the potential to further complicate the situation in Afghanistan, as each pursues its own agenda. The lack of a coherent international strategy for engaging with the Taliban has also limited the ability of the global community to address the humanitarian crisis and promote stability in the country.

The Rise of Extremism

The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has raised concerns about the resurgence of extremism and the potential for Afghanistan to once again become a breeding ground for terrorist groups. While the Taliban have pledged to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a base for international terrorism, their ties to groups such as al-Qaeda and their inability to control ISIS-K raise questions about their ability to fulfill this commitment.

The U.S. and its allies continue to monitor the situation closely, with over-the-horizon counterterrorism capabilities in place to respond to any emerging threats. However, the lack of a physical presence in Afghanistan limits the ability of the U.S. to gather intelligence and conduct operations on the ground.

The potential for Afghanistan to become a safe haven for extremist groups poses a threat not only to regional security but also to global stability. The international community must remain vigilant in addressing the risks posed by the

Taliban’s rule and the potential for Afghanistan to become a hub for terrorist activity.

Conclusion

Three years after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the consequences of that decision continue to reverberate across the globe. The Taliban’s celebration of their hold on power underscores the complex and troubling legacy of the U.S. exit, which has left Afghanistan in the grip of a humanitarian crisis, a crumbling security situation, and an uncertain future.

For the Biden administration, the withdrawal from Afghanistan remains a defining moment in its foreign policy, raising difficult questions about America’s role in the world and its ability to manage complex international challenges. The global implications of the withdrawal, from the erosion of U.S. credibility to the rise of extremism, highlight the need for a renewed focus on diplomacy, counterterrorism, and humanitarian aid.

As the Taliban mark three years in power, the world must confront the harsh realities of their rule and the lasting impact of the U.S. withdrawal. The lessons learned from Afghanistan will shape the future of U.S. foreign policy and the international community’s approach to conflict and intervention in the years to come.