On Monday, the Taliban celebrated the anniversary of their successful campaign to reclaim control of Afghanistan, one year after their forces captured the capital of Kabul as the U.S. military withdrew from the country.
The Taliban, who have been insurgent fighters for the past two decades, have struggled with the basics of running a functioning government.
Many experts argue that the Biden administration needs to stop worrying that helping the Afghan people might somehow benefit the Taliban and instead open up more spending to ensure that their basic needs are being met. Others say the U.S. should do everything it can to help Afghanistan develop a functioning economy, including lifting some sanctions and allowing the country to access billions of dollars stockpiled overseas. They argue that, as loathsome as the Taliban are, the U.S.
At the same time, some argue that the greatest threat to ordinary Afghans is the Taliban themselves and warn against any steps that might empower the regime. There are also concerns that a more entrenched Taliban might feel more comfortable harboring terrorists who might build networks large enough to target Americans on U.S. soil.
“Everybody’s responsible for not stopping the war after removing the Taliban [in late 2001]. Everybody’s responsible for viewing any kind of a reconciliation with the Taliban as taboo, just like everybody’s responsible for why Afghan people are suffering under sanctions. … We have to take responsibility as a nation.
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