The US war in Afghanistan did not fail; in fact, it succeeded in making the Taliban subservient to the US

The US did not invade Afghanistan in 2001 to establish a democratic system, bring freedom and gender equality, or protect human rights. The Taliban’s atrocities and the 1998 massacre of 10,000 members of the Hazara ethnic group in Mazar-e Sharif occurred at a time when the US was sympathetic towards the Taliban. The US’s invasion of Afghanistan only came after the 9/11 attacks. Usama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind 9/11, developed a globalist-jihadist ideology during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Western Bloc-funded resistance.

After 9/11, the US and its NATO allies entered Afghanistan with the aim of punishing the Taliban for harboring Bin Laden. They successfully overthrew the Taliban, kept them at bay for 20 years, and eliminated Usama Bin Laden in 2011. In February 2020, the US reached a deal with the Taliban and withdrew from the country by August of the following year.

On August 26, 2021, during a rushed attempt to enter Kabul airport, I witnessed US soldiers and Taliban members exchanging bottles of water and laughing as if they were close friends. This experience led me to believe that a lasting friendship is developing between the two parties, and the US and the Taliban will eventually become friends. Although the US has not yet recognized the Taliban, I remain of the opinion that it will happen. The Taliban leaders are demonstrating signs of subservience to the US, urging it to recognize them as a legitimate government. They claim that Afghanistan will no longer be a threat to the US and that they have learned from past mistakes. They request to be left to their domestic affairs, including the implementation of their cultural and religious practices, even if it means oppressing women. In this perspective, the US has historically shown indifference towards democracy and women’s rights in Afghanistan, as well as in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, as long as they remain subservient to the United States. Additionally, The US left behind a vast array of guns, tanks, weapons, and military hardware. When the Taliban requires spare parts, repairs, or refurbishment for this equipment, to whom they may turn — the US. One more client is added to the list of buyers of US military hardware.

The US shows concern for Iranian women because the Iranian theocracy does not want to be subservient to the US. If the Iranian theocracy were to take orders from the US, women’s rights in Iran would cease to be an issue.

In my opinion, the Taliban will eventually become subservient to the US, and both parties will coexist harmoniously. However, the presence of China complicates the situation. Given the ongoing preparations for a long war between the US and China, the Taliban will face challenges in balancing their relationship with both powers. This dynamic can be seen as Afghanistan’s recurring struggle, or “Afghanistan’s disease,” of balancing between great powers dating back to the 19th century. During that time, Afghanistan was caught between Tsarist Russia and the British Empire, a period known as the Great Game. The British Empire invaded Afghanistan three times to prevent Russian advancement towards the Indian subcontinent, ultimately leading to British influence in Afghanistan’s foreign policy from 1880 to 1919. In the 20th century, Afghanistan found itself caught between the Western bloc and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, culminating in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. Similarly, the ongoing competition between the US and China in the 21st century may result in Afghanistan being pulled in different directions as both powers attempt to prevent the Taliban from aligning with the other.

However, for the people of Afghanistan, the Taliban remaining in power is a bleak prospect. As with past competitions, it is likely to result in further loss of life for the population.