After a 20-year conflict with the United States and its allies, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan for the second time on 15 August 2021. The fall of the Afghan government was a significant defeat for the US and its allies and has prompted fears about Afghanistan’s and the region’s future.
A review of the Taliban’s two-year administration, which calls itself the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reveals that the already-war-torn country has sunk into a humanitarian and economic catastrophe. In 2023, 28 million Afghans would require humanitarian aid, up from 18.4 million in 2021.
As a result of the Taliban’s unrealistic policies coupled with the vagaries of climate change, the country is facing repeated years of drought with few resources for mitigation. Reduced donor assistance due to the fundamentalist group’s unrealistic isolationist policies implies that resources for overcoming even the food crisis are restricted. The World Food Programme (WFP) has had to decrease assistance to 8 million people in Afghanistan due to a funding shortfall as it faces a $1.2 billion funding gap, preventing it from reaching the people who need it most.
Also Read: The Taliban Could Reverse Two Decades of Progress in Women’s Education in Afghanistan.
Moreover, multiple challenges, including an inattentive leadership focused on adopting a strict authoritarian Shari’a interpretation, impede development. Adopting an insular attitude politically, diplomatically, and economically, the twin-headed administration, based in Kandahar and Kabul, has failed to capitalise on international agencies such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s attempts to attract support for the people at large.
Adding to these woes, the Taliban’s undermining of women in the country has attracted widespread condemnation, yet the de facto rulers remain stubbornly unconcerned about the plight of women. The Taliban has forbidden females older than ten from attending primary school classes in the Ghazni district in their latest round of restrictions on female education. Furthermore, girls were not permitted to take the university test this year, and other restrictions, such as those imposed on beauty salons, are pushing women away from work, social engagement, and economic opportunity.
Relations with the United States
While the Taliban criticises the US for suffocating the flow of funds, Washington, in fact, has authorised more than $2.35 billion, according to a study by the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). “Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, the US government has appropriated more than $2.35 billion in funding for Afghanistan’s reconstruction programming in 2022 and 2023,” according to the study.
According to the research, “Taliban intervention in humanitarian assistance is the biggest impediment to recipients getting relief in 2023... In April 2023 alone, there were 110 access instances connected to Taliban involvement.” The Taliban have always disputed this. “We reject the SIGAR report.” The temporary administration has no say in how help is distributed. According to Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, “we have accurate monitoring of the distribution of assistance to Afghanistan.”
Also Read: The Taliban Has No Interest in Gaining International Recognition
To persuade the US into making concessions, possibly mimicking neighbouring Iran’s tactics, the Taliban may be conducting a systematic gathering of Western hostages in exchange for political benefit. According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Taliban holds “several” US citizens captive.
After months of no direct interaction with the Taliban, US diplomats started face-to-face meetings with Taliban officials last month in Doha, Qatar, on 12 July 2023. The talks focused on some of the most difficult subjects, including the Taliban’s prohibition on women’s labour and education, which has sparked widespread outrage, and the US prisoners’ release.
Key Regional Stakeholder Relations
Apart from the internal mess created by the group, their external policies appear to be reckless. At the moment, the Taliban is embroiled in a number of battles with regional actors, the most important of which are Pakistan and Iran.
Pakistan has publicly advocated for restrictions on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a Pashtun terrorist organisation that has increased its operations in the nation from safe havens in Afghanistan. In response, the Taliban is sending confusing signals about the prohibition on Afghans fighting in foreign battles.
Also Read: The Taliban Cannot Be Trusted to Honour Its Promise Not to Interfere in Kashmir
Mufti Abdul Rauf, a member of the Taliban’s Supreme Court and the chairman of the group’s Dar Al-Ifta, has released a fatwa condemning the war in Pakistan. The Fatwa claimed that the Taliban promised not to pursue jihad outside of Afghanistan in the Doha Agreement. In response, a Taliban spokesperson maintained that the Fatwa was not issued by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. Because they owe loyalty exclusively to Akhundzada, this creates some uncertainty for Taliban renegades fighting overseas. Taking matters into their own hands, Pakistan is said to have initiated air attacks against TTP commanders on 14 August at a hotel in Khost city.
The Afghan drought has led to a difficult situation for Iran, as the Taliban’s decision to withhold Iran’s water rights raises questions about the observance of ancient treaties. The Taliban’s water distribution efforts face scrutiny as the drought drags on, calling into question their commitment in the near term. The common water issues have led to a rise in tensions between the countries. By agreeing to a modest security dividend, governments hope to address related issues.
Nevertheless, the persistent water shortage remains a heavy burden for both countries, affecting industries including agriculture and stability. The meetings are happening amid environmental worries, highlighting the link between ecological problems, political shenanigans, and international ties. The Taliban’s and Iran’s evolving stances will significantly impact their alliances and the broader landscape.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, two years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan have ushered in a troubling era marked by humanitarian crises, economic devastation, and geopolitical complexities. The fall of the Afghan government in 2021 was a turning point that left the nation in a state of turmoil and uncertainty.
As Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries grapple with these multifaceted challenges, it is clear that the Taliban’s policies and actions will continue to have far-reaching consequences. While the future of Afghans remains uncertain, what is crystal clear is that while the Taliban continue to implement policies in line with a fundamentalist vision, the people of Afghanistan remain trapped in a dystopian nightmare unlikely to end soon.