Twenty-five years following the September 11 attacks and the subsequent U.S.-led intervention, the legacy of the Afghan Republic remains a subject of intense debate. While some Western narratives suggest that democracy was inherently incompatible with Afghan culture, data from the Asia Foundation’s 2021 survey indicated that 88% of Afghans held no sympathy for the Taliban, challenging the notion that the group represented the popular will.

During the two decades of the Afghan Republic, the country saw significant progress, including improved health outcomes, expanded access to education for girls, and the development of a vibrant, independent media landscape. However, these gains were undermined by structural flaws. The U.S.-influenced state design created an overcentralized system prone to corruption and patronage. Furthermore, the Afghan National Army was built with a reliance on U.S. contractors for maintenance, rendering it fragile once international support was withdrawn.

Advertisement

Geopolitical factors also played a critical role in the state's instability. The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq diverted resources from Afghanistan, allowing Pakistan to resume support for the Taliban—a move to counter Indian influence in Kabul. Despite warnings from officials like General Mark A. Milley, the U.S. failed to effectively pressure Islamabad to cease its interference. The situation culminated in the 2020 Doha agreement, where the U.S. negotiated directly with the Taliban, effectively sidelining the Afghan government and signaling a loss of resolve.

The subsequent withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2021 led to the rapid collapse of the republic. Today, the Taliban governs through a system of totalitarian decrees, enforcing gender apartheid and lacking a formal constitution. Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, observers warn of long-term regional risks, particularly the expansion of radicalized networks within the country's madrasa system, which currently enrolls over 3.65 million students.

Source: The Conversation