20. The Taliban insurgency destroyed Afghani faith in their government
Following the collapse of the Taliban government in 2001, the United States and their allies worked to install a democratic government and society in Afghanistan. Billions of dollars were spent to improve infrastructure, build schools and open them to women and girls, and establish civil justice. The insurgency thwarted those efforts. Outside of the larger cities and the main roads the Taliban controlled the country. Peaceful protests were attacked. Polls were threatened. Checkpoints operated by the Taliban monitored travel. Afghani citizens found it difficult, if possible at all, to exercise their rights guaranteed to them by their constitution. Access to legal courts became non-existent to many. And the constant violence and suicide attacks made it readily apparent that security forces could not protect them without the assistance of the coalition forces.
In the two decades since the fall of the Taliban women in the Afghan workforce grew to represent almost 20% of the total in the civil service alone. More than 80% of elementary school-age girls enrolled in schools. Scores of new media, including radio, television, newspapers, and magazines became part of Afghan society. Under the Taliban, only one radio station, operated by them, was allowed. Still, the insurgency ground on, destroying the faith of the Afghani people in their own government. On February 29, 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed the Doha Agreement in Doha, Qatar. The US and agreed to withdraw American and NATO troops in return for a Taliban promise not to allow Al Qaeda and affiliated terrorist groups sanctuaries in Afghanistan. The government of the Republic of Afghanistan did not participate in the talks, nor sign the agreement.
Where do we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
“Who are the Taliban?” Article, BBC News. August 18, 2021
“The Soviet War in Afghanistan, 1979 – 1989” Article, The Atlantic. August 4, 2014. Online
“The US War in Afghanistan”. Timeline, Council on Foreign Relations. Online
“Explainer: The Taliban and Islamic Law in Afghanistan”. Arwa Ibrahim, Al Jazeera. August 23, 2021
“A Decade Ago, Massoud’s Killing Preceded Sept. 11”. Renee Montagne, NPR. September 9, 2011
“Pits reveal evidence of massacre by Taliban”. Rory Carroll, The Guardian. April 7, 2002
“Pakistan’s Support of the Taliban”. Report, Human Rights Watch. 2001. Online
“Afghanistan War”. Article, History.com. August 20, 2021. Online
“Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan”. Monograph, Seth G. Jones, RAND Corporation. Online
“Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour killed, Afghans confirm”. Article, BBC News. May 22, 2016
“Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan”. Document, US Department of State. February 29, 2020