U.S. War in Afghanistan

The Taliban’s blitz to power in Afghanistan has left them in possession of a veritable arsenal of U.S. weaponry intended for the defunct government. Are captured weapons a strategic game-changer?

While the disaster unfolding in Afghanistan will have many negative consequences, it will not by itself cause the end of U.S. strategic pre-eminence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The war in Vietnam showed the abject failure of nation-building – and the imperial logic behind such efforts. But the U.S. repeated its mistake in Afghanistan.

Subsequent flights are due to bring more of the roughly 700 applicants who are farthest along in the process of getting visas.

Afghans who assisted U.S. forces are eligible for a special immigrant visa, but the process, hogtied by legislation and reporting requirements, has been backlogged for a decade.

U.S. forces are reportedly days away from completing the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Central Asian diplomats are making the rounds in Washington, DC.

Officials acknowledge that the withdrawal so far has largely involved removing or otherwise disposing of mountains of equipment. 

As the U.S. embarks on its final withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban moved to strike provincial centers and peace talks remain stalled.

The government says the army can hold its own, but military experts warn of a tough fight ahead.

"If such a step is taken, then the responsibility for all the misfortunes and difficulties lies upon those who commit such mistakes.”

If guarantees of preserving progress in women’s rights are not included in any potential political settlement, they remain prone to reverses.