Stage: In the heart of Asia, at the crossroads of the Silk Road, there is a mountain land, slightly bigger than France, known as the “graveyard of empires”. From Alexander the Great, to the Mongols, British, Soviets and now Americans, each has tried to conquer and tame the land of the snow leopard, without success.
A rough and dangerous land, that is home to an ethnically diverse population (31 million) that speaks at least 2 languages (Dari and Pashto mainly). While almost 5 million people live in the capital, Kabul. Most of the people still follow the tribal lifestyle (in the rural areas or nomadic).
Known for opium (90% of world production of heroin), saffron (most expensive spice in the world) and carpet weaving (traditional afghan carpets are mind blowing), Afghanistan has also held the title of the largest refugee-producing country in the world, until Syria happened. Why? Well, according to Global Rights, almost 90% of the women have experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse or forced marriage.
The Afghans (mainly the Pashtuns) follow the Pashtunwali, which means hospitality, the provision of sanctuary to those seeking refuge, revenge for the shedding of blood, tribal solidarity and high regard for personal honor.
Conflict origin: Afghanistan has been the playground (1979-1989) of the global struggle between capitalism and communism. The Soviets intervened in the favor of the ruling government, while the Americans financed anti-communist, radical islamists rebels. In 1989, the Soviets decide to withdraw leaving the country in the hands of the islamist rebels.
Until 1996, different rebel groups fought in a civil war for the right to govern the country. From the struggle, the “Taliban” group emerged victorious. However, the civil war didn’t stop there, as the other groups reorganized as the “Northern Alliance” and continued the struggle.
The Taliban: 1994, in Kandahar, mullah (spiritual guide) Mohammad Omar started the militia group together with 50 students (Taliban means students in Pashto). Financed by Pakistan, they were driven by the belief that communism should have been replaced with Islamic law after 1989. They conquered Kabul in 1996 and kind-of won the civil war, mainly because of support from the terrorist organization al-Qaeda (led by the infamous Osama Bin Laden). Today, there are 200,000 Taliban fighters.
Life under Taliban: Especially bad for artists (paintings, photography, movies with actors and instrumental music banned), women (not allowed in school, not allowed to work – with exception of healthcare, male company and burqa at all times in public) and LGBT-people. If rules were broken, the punishments included public flogging and execution.
American invasion: After the September 11 attacks (2001), the United States decided to invade Afghanistan in order to capture Osama Bin Laden and the rest of the al-Qaeda militants. By the end of 2001, the Taliban lost control of the country. However, they continued a form of guerilla warfare from the mountains until today. For the next 20 years, the United States invested 2261 billions to maintain the occupation in Afghanistan.
American retreat: On 29th February 2020, United States (President Trump) and the Taliban signed a conditional peace deal in Doha (Qatar). President Trump promised that in less than a year, the US troops will retreat. The plans to retreat didn’t change under President Biden, and on 15th August 2021, the Taliban took over the capital (Kabul). In advance of the US withdrawal, Biden had reportedly concluded that it was an “unwinnable war” and a situation without “a military solution.”
Denmark’s reaction: This week, the Danish government evacuated hundreds of Danes and Afghans (who worked for Denmark in Afghanistan). Also, the government decided to donate 100 million dkk to the Red Cross and UN to help Afghan refugees.
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: On 19th of August 2021, the flag of the Afghanistan Republic was replaced with the Islamic Emirate flag, marking the end of one regime and the beginning of another one. At the same time, an anti-Taliban coalition formed in Panjshir Valley with the aim to restore the Republic of Afghanistan.
At the moment: Thousands of Afghans trapped in the capital are trying to escape Afghanistan, by means of air. The scenes at Airport Hamid Karzai are absolutely horrifying. In the same time, the Taliban have started a PR offensive to paint themselves as less-scary than imagined.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/JkwKg1TPZNM?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
Further on: According to the British Minister of Defense, the “NATO forces are unlikely to return to Afghanistan”.
