Isolated Afghanistan Dangerous for the world.

The Taliban have fully controlled Afghanistan since 15th August 2021. They entered Kabul without a fight while capturing most of the provinces in three months; in most cases, the Afghan National Defence Forces (ANDF) merely surrendered or melted down. With the conquest of the Taliban came uncertainty in Afghanistan as the religious militia failed to bring economic stability or muster recognition internationally, including in the immediate neighbourhood. In the final analysis, after spending over 2.3 trillion dollars and suffering thousands of casualties, the American-led coalition had to withdraw, leaving Afghanistan unstable.

The Ashraf Ghani government fizzled out before the Taliban entered Kabul; the democracy project failed while Afghan democrats left the country to their western abodes. The hapless people were left in Afghanistan struggling for two square meals. Ever since the Taliban's capture of the country, the poverty graph has reached 90 percent; only one percent population is comfortable coping with the daily challenges of existence.

The American withdrawal was not unilateral; it happened under an agreement with the Taliban whereby the latter would reduce violence, start intra-Afghan negotiations and guarantee that Afghanistan would not again become a refuge for terrorists. The withdrawal enjoyed bi-partisan support in the US as a further stay of the US forces was considered a waste of time and resources. This policy seems to have worked to the American advantage, especially by imposing a ban on Afghan banks. Consequently, Afghanistan, under the Taliban, is unable to do regular business with the world, further pushing the country to abject poverty. Afghanistan's poverty may force the people to migrate to neighbouring countries and beyond. Over four Lakh Afghans have already crossed over to Pakistan since August 2021.

So far, none of the countries has recognized the Taliban regime. Ironically, it's the same Taliban who are labelled as terrorists, and many of their leaders still figure in the 1267 list of the UN Security Council meant to be prosecuted. Over one hundred Taliban leaders are supposed to be arrested and tried in a court of law. But, simultaneously, the US and its allies are operating their embassies from Kabul or maintaining liaison with the Taliban office in Doha. Such an arrangement allows de facto recognition of the Taliban. It offers a channel to the Taliban and their international interlocutors to thrash out...

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