The future of Afghanistan after the US pullout
Joe Biden's decision to finalise the withdrawal of troops by 31 August has been implemented strictly, but not entirely effectively. Despite numerous requests from several countries, the US president did not give in and now, for the first time in 20 years, the United States will have no military forces within Afghanistan's borders. Moreover, even though more than 5,500 US citizens have been evacuated from Afghanistan, there are many others who have not left the country either because they have chosen to stay with their families or because it has been impossible for them to do so due to the chaotic situation at Kabul airport.
"Tonight's withdrawal signifies both the end of the evacuation of military equipment and the end of nearly 20 years of the mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after 9/11," said US General Kenneth McKenzie, who referred to the occupation of Afghanistan as "a mission that brought Osama bin Laden to justice along with other elements of Al-Qaeda". He also added that US Ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson and General Chris Donahue were the last two people to leave the Afghan capital.
Just over 114,000 people have been airlifted out of the capital's airport over the past two weeks as part of the US effort. The Biden administration said it expected the Taliban to continue to allow Americans and other foreign nationals in the country to leave Afghanistan safely after the US military withdrawal was completed, as has been achieved on schedule. But the concern, not just for the Americans, but for all countries that still have nationals in Afghanistan, is how they will leave if there is no operational airport.
According to a joint statement issued by the UK and the US, among others, on Sunday, the Taliban pledged to allow all foreign nationals and Afghans with foreign passports to leave the borders safely. However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, whose country has been responsible for security at Kabul airport for the past six years as part of a NATO mission, said the airport needed repairs before it could reopen to civilian flights in remarks on Sunday.
As for relations with the Taliban, the country led by Joe Biden has already stated its intention not to leave any US representation on Afghan soil, at least until further notice. They will soon decide "their next steps based on the actions of the Taliban", the White House explains. Others, such as the UK, said that no country should enter into bilateral agreements with those who recognise the Taliban as rulers of Afghanistan, while France proposed recognising the new government, albeit under certain conditions, such as respect for human rights and women's rights.
Talks with the Taliban are complicated and it does not seem that the US is willing to give in - something it has always found difficult and which has led to situations such as the one that has been experienced with the JCPOA for years since the unilateral exit from the treaty. The work to preserve the security of the people who have not been able to leave Afghanistan is already underway, but it is no easy task given the chaos in the capital. Added to this is the growing threat posed by armed groups. Last week, an attack by an ISIS suicide bomber killed more than 180 people outside Kabul airport. A puzzle that is difficult to solve and must be solved against the clock in the face of the thousands of lives at stake.
