Afghanistan has been the epicentre of power struggles between foreign powers, who used it as a geopolitical pawn to assert dominance over Central Asia for decades. The strategic attempts of the British in the 1800s by conventional warfare, the Soviets in the 1900s by unrelenting violence, and now the U.S. in the 2000s in the name of nation-building have all been in vain. The “impossible to invade” tag of the country can be credited to its location, hostile tribes, and treacherous terrain, which have aided in driving out all of its invaders, making the country a graveyard for emperors.
The country has had a drastic change from a peaceful, culturally open, and economically developing country in the 1960s to a war-torn, backward, and suppressed country, with no room for civil rights in the world we live in today. To get to the roots of how Afghanistan plummeted to this state, we need to understand the coping mechanisms of the tribes to invasion and their religious beliefs.
Afghanistan in the Late 20th Century
Around 42% of the people in Afghanistan are Pashtuns [1], an ethnic group that follows the Hanafite branch of Sunni Islam. A majority of the tribe are Mujahedeen, who believe in Jihad, a war waged on behalf of Islam, as their religious duty.
Their eager attempts at establishing a country based on their version of Sharia law can be witnessed during the 1960s and 1980s, when the tribe extended violent resistance to the Soviet army, which led to their withdrawal in 1989. Although the country was free from foreign invaders, the local tribes continued to wage a civil war that would eventually kill thousands of civilians and became the root of all the distress in the country.
The Rise and Rule of Taliban
The Taliban was formed in 1994, by a student group from Kandahar who were well versed in the Islamic texts. The Taliban rule brought an initial sense of peace, order, and justice to the country. By 1996, they had about three-quarters of Afghan territory under their rule and took Kabul under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar. The Taliban governed the country by violently enforcing laws drawn from tribal codes and a strict interpretation of the Sharia law.
The majority of Afghans living in rural areas of the country were poor, conservative, and very devoted to Islamic and tribal traditions, compelling them to abide by their barbaric rules. Visiting mosques and growing beards were made compulsory, and any form of entertainment like music, television, and even flying kites was banned.
Women suffered the most under the Taliban rule, having been stripped of their basic rights to education, employment, and speech. Severe oppression meant they had to wear burqas and avoid leaving home unaccompanied. This left no room for civil rights and just laws in the country.
This marks the first stint of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan which lasted up until 2001. This was the year the U.S.-led coalition, fuelled by the vengeance caused by the 9/11 attack, invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban government. This marked the start of the U.S.-Afghan war, which lasted 20 years, only to end bitterly after a peace agreement was signed on the 29th of February, 2020 [2].
The withdrawal of U.S. troops helped the Taliban gain momentum in taking over the country. At the same time, the Afghan army surrendered and the government fled, helping it seize control of the country unopposed by mid-August. A “caretaker government” was announced by 7th September, 2021 [3], to rule Afghanistan under a regime highly reminiscent of the 90s, but with more potential as their base of fighters was far more diverse, making their new regime unpredictable.
Humanitarian Crisis under the Taliban Regime
According to UN officials, Afghanistan is now facing a dire crisis under the Taliban government. While poverty rates have surged and the economy tanked, hunger and displacement crises have worsened considerably. Attempts to re-establish ministries which prohibit un-Islamic behaviour and deal with legal issues on the judgement of religious leaders who suppress women’s rights for the “betterment” of the country have only made things worse. Long droughts, cold winters, the pandemic, World Bank sanctions, and the war in Ukraine have all played a dramatic role in raising the prices of day-to-day goods, making life more difficult for Afghans.
The suspension of foreign aid and sanctions from the World Bank has caused further distress to the financial state of the country. The local currency has lost a substantial value due to frozen central banks, cash shortages, and unimaginable inflation. With the loss of female employees, about 5% of the GDP is lost making the country reach a record low of -1.93% in 2020.
Foreign Relations
Boosting diplomacy with countries like China, India, Pakistan, and Russia is being prioritised by Afghanistan. The legitimacy of the government isn’t accepted by most countries, mainly due to the Taliban’s policies and gruesome laws, which have posed a challenge to Afghanistan’s foreign relations. After cutting ties with the country in August, India extended humanitarian aid starting from December 2021. Diplomacy between India and Afghanistan is crucial owing to the risks posed by the attacks on the dams, schools, and hospitals included in more than 400 projects in all 34 provinces funded by Indian investments.
A possible alliance between China, Pakistan, and the Taliban, as well as an increase in religious nationalism, pan-Islamism, and Jihad, boosting the morale of several terror groups in the Kashmir border area, pose a high risk to India. The western countries haven’t recognised the Taliban because terrorist organisations like Al-Qaeda could easily operate under the Taliban; thus, posing a huge threat to regional and international security.
Attempts at Resolving the Issue
The roots of the problem lie in the fact that religion is mixed with governance and political affairs. While religion is meant to be a way of life that an individual may or may not choose to follow, a government and its policies are meant to make life easier, regardless of the identity of its citizens. It’s only logical for religious ideals, the government, and the people’s mindsets to change and meet the needs of the current times. This evolution of opinions and mindset can be attributed to the literacy rate among the citizens, which is as low as 37% while being jeopardised by the current regime [4]. Enhancing the education system can act as a catalyst in empowering the men and women of Afghanistan to fight for their rights.
Former officials, local militia members, and Afghan security forces have formed the National Resistance Front, in opposition to the Taliban regime in Panjshir Province, in hopes of building a prosperous, secure, and just nation. Surveys suggest that only about 13.4% of Afghans sympathised and supported the Taliban, while a majority of them acknowledged the drug trafficking hazards (28%), threats to women’s rights (93%), and the threats posed by the Taliban itself (41%) [5]. Statistically speaking, the majority of the citizens are clearly against the Taliban rule. The global community needs to take meaningful actions towards resolving the issue, not just to fend off a humanitarian crisis, but also to bring an end to terror activities around the world.
Article by: Mansi Achar
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