It’s been over two years since the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan. The United States spent 20 years trying to fight terrorists but since the end of 2021, the Taliban have full control. Since the takeover, it has been estimated from a UNDP report that almost all Afghans are living in poverty, the economy shrunk 30%, and 90% of the population is suffering from food insecurity. The aid Afghans were receiving was then pulled as a result of the takeover, furthering the wound. Because of how long the United States was in Afghanistan, should the United States work with the Taliban?
Taliban Takeover in 2022
The United States could be the lead on an international initiative to help Afghani citizens but, preferably, Middle Eastern countries should be the ones taking charge, considering that their economies are growing and cannot afford to have Afghanistan as a security concern to the Middle East. Solely having the U.S. try to work on relations with the Taliban will not work considering how long the U.S. has been in Afghanistan and ultimately could not protect the previous Afghan government. The U.S. could provide insight and suggestions to this international initiative because of its extensive knowledge, but shouldn’t be the sole proprietor in providing direct policy objectives to stabilize Afghanistan.
The UAE has come out anti-Taliban and has done extensive work to shut down front companies that laundered money for the Taliban. The UAE serves as a good mediator between the West and Afghanistan as they are trying to maintain a difficult balance. The UAE has praised its commitments to a modern Afghanistan but has not been condemning directly the Taliban’s violation of women’s rights.
The UAE is one of many examples of trying to put pressure on modernization without too much Western influence that can push the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan away from the negotiating table with Middle Eastern countries. There is so much pressure the Western countries can put on Afghanistan and the Taliban won’t budge, but if Western countries support Middle Eastern countries in leading the initiative to stabilize Afghanistan, find avenues to protect the rights of women, and give women and children the aid they need through Middle Eastern countries serving as the mediator.
Dubai, UAE Landscape
The United States should only step in directly policy-wise for counterterrorism efforts, which is the primary reason the U.S. still pursues interests in Afghanistan along with pulling out U.S. citizens and and Afghanis who were in the process of leaving Afghanistan. There is ongoing fear that Afghanistan could become a safe space for other terrorist groups. For example, al-Qaeda has been living discreetly among the Taliban and questions remain whether they still do after the drone strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri though the Taliban have stated that Afghanistan will not be used to harbor terrorists.
The Taliban discussion is a difficult one, but it is time for the United States to step back. The U.S. along with the international community should trust other Middle Eastern countries that also do not recognize the Taliban or do not engage with the Taliban in any way.
Author: Aleksandros Spaho
