Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/rwihemsi/rwi.lu.se/wp-content/plugins/insert-php/includes/class.execute.snippet.php(655) : eval()'d code on line 27
Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/rwihemsi/rwi.lu.se/wp-content/plugins/insert-php/includes/class.execute.snippet.php(655) : eval()'d code on line 28
By Alireza Samiee Esfahani and Sara Farahmand
DOI: 10.22054/tssq.2024.65554.1195
ISSN:2476-2806
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Alireza Samiee Esfahani and Sara Farahmand
On August 15, 2021, in a strategic shock, the Taliban entered Kabul to seize power after a cascading crisis triggered by the Western military withdrawal and the reluctance of the Afghan government and its national security forces to engage in military conflict. The question arises as to where the roots of this unexpected political event lie. At the beginning of the 21st century, the September 11 attacks and the American government’s decisive analysis of the Taliban’s role set the stage for a military invasion led by an international coalition. Under U.S. leadership, Afghanistan became the frontline for implementing the strategy of war against terrorism. However, America’s sustained involvement in Afghanistan cannot be understood simply as an effort to eliminate Al Qaeda terrorist groups. This objective appeared to be of secondary importance to the coalition forces, particularly the United States. The primary focus of their policies was the establishment of political and social stability within the Afghan society. In fact, American security theorists believed that terrorism was a consequence of bankrupt governments and the social environment, which they saw as manifestations of chaos that had persisted for years.
Keywords: Taliban takeover (2021), Western military withdrawal, War on terror, U.S. intervention strategy, Political and social stability, Counterterrorism and state fragility