20-year war in Afghanistan comes to end
The presence of the Taliban was greatly reduced with the American invasion of Afghanistan. However, 20 years later, the Taliban have regained control after the U.S. withdrawl and for Afghans it is all back to square one.
October 31, 2021
The story of Afghanistan has gone back since the mid 1700s, but the United States’ relationship with the country has been described as the longest battle recorded in American history.
On Aug. 30, that battle ended with the evacuation of the U.S. military, and left the “Graveyard of Empires” still living up to its name today. With Taliban control quickly sweeping over the capital, Kabul remains disoriented and distressed as to what the future holds for many Afghans.
Women, especially now, are reacting to the changes implemented in the country’s new norm.
In another interview, Haji Hekmat, a leading Taliban figure responded to claims that the Islamic organization was getting rid of the cultural lifestyle by saying, “No, we have developed the culture. Islamic culture does not allow mixed gatherings. So we are bringing this culture back to life.”
After being questioned why the culture must be corrected, Hekmat replied with, “Western influence has been here for the past 20 years. For the past 40 years, control of this country has passed from one foreign hand to another. So obviously we have lost our own traditions and values.”
This transition of authority has brought up other ideas regarding the concern of the country’s new position and the Taliban’s approaches.
Javier Sanchez ’22 stated, “In terms of the U.S., I think people, at least for a little while, will start defending their own opinions and seeing the true side of things. And I’m specifically referring to the attack that killed innocent kids because their car was suspected of transporting enemies when that wasn’t the case.”
Justin Kenneth Samaniego ’22 expressed his view by saying, “…it’s important to acknowledge the new established government.”
Reports say there’s “a big change since the Taliban ruled in the 1990’s” through the “adjustments” made to suit current times, but many are seeing the return of older practices such as the separation of genders at private universities along with mandatory dress codes for women. These reforms are just two of many changes that are being seen in daily life, but the question still remains if the Taliban will take more drastic measures to ensure the reversion of older traditions.
Social Science teacher Mike Kennedy briefly reviewed past events and expressed the uncertainty in the near future: “I think it’s important to see the wars in Afghanistan in context: there has been over 40 years of conflict in that country. First a nationalist uprising against the Soviets, then civil war between rival factions after the Soviets left, and then twenty years of American sponsored warfare. It’s hard to say what might come next. Will this be a break from chaos, or another chapter of brutality for the people of Afghanistan?”