The whole subject re the volatile history of Afghanistan is certainly a complex one, but since the infamous 9/11 attack by Al Quaeda on the NY twin towers it became a US/Bush project to try and negate any terrorist threat in the region as well as introducing the whole concept of democratic rule and encouraging the people to embrace a proper democracy and modern cultural change. Well over $1T dollars came out of US coffers to finance this project and try to make it work. Lots of lives (Afghan, US, Brit and others) also lost during this long period of transition in a region where years n years of random conflict have been common for centuries in a country with tribal influence spread throughout the mountain communities/outlying regions. However, a modern democratic state can't be fully evolved in 20 years esp in such a volatile setting where the Taliban had effectively "gone underground" (back to their homes) temporarily when the US military came in after 9/11, "all guns blazing", together with the UK and other western troops. Eg look at S Korea - US troops stationed there since the 1950s. As soon as President Biden announced the US withdrawal, one genuinely feared for the security and well being of the country and its populace. This has now been confirmed in dramatic fashion and the implications for a new generation of Afghan people, embracing democracy and better educated etc, are horrendous in facing a Taliban enemy who will potentially wreak havoc on them and vulnerable groups, women, educated people - a pogrom initiated under a self-proclaimed caliphate forced upon the people they have effectively conquered. And it looks like the west/the world is gonna watch while this horror, a humanitarian disaster, is likely to unfold in the coming weeks/months. I must say I am sitting very uncomfortably in my chair listening to the heartfelt pleas from people within the country who feel like they've been "hung out to dry" while US and Brit military personnel come in to quickly assist in the removal of US/Brit nationals and other "at risk" operatives. There is no doubt their own govt has a lot to answer for in not preparing for such an eventuality, but they can't take all the blame for this. Indeed a huge "finger of blame" could be pointed at an intransigent Taliban enemy that refused to stop killing people and continues to do it as well as a complicit Pakistan govt/security force that has been an able ally to the Taliban down the years albeit sneakily "hovering in the background".
I can't watch a lotta this stuff unfold or listen to the genuine pleas for help from many women (and others) who fear the worst from insurgents who they describe as "animals" - uneducated and ruthless people/thugs with no regard for other people who are "different" from them and their religious ideology.
I can't watch a lotta this stuff unfold or listen to the genuine pleas for help from many women (and others) who fear the worst from insurgents who they describe as "animals" - uneducated and ruthless people/thugs with no regard for other people who are "different" from them and their religious ideology.