After a deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in February in Doha, Qatar, the tensions in Afghanistan have increased creating competition among anti-government militants. Islamic State Khorasan (ISK) dispute with the Taliban for political success and influence bringing more violence to the Country. The peace deal signed with the United States dealing to halt bombing urban center and break up the relationship with other terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda Nevertheless, attacks from the Taliban have increased by around 50% in the last months, the Taliban has used military operations increasing concerns about the group is trying to establish a discriminatory and totalitarian regime in the country.
Many people in Afghanistan blame the Taliban for hosting and collaborating with terrorism groups, the war by the Taliban has undermined Afghanistan’s political stability, security, and economic development, weaken the government’s functionality and territorial control, allowing others militant groups such as ISK gain more control over the country. These groups are trying to build leverage through violence and claiming the honor of resisting the US and its partners. They are fighting to create frustration and chaos to expand their operational reach and lethality, thereby creating transnational inspiration for the movement.
The conflict in Afghanistan is going up, it is a combination of proxy wars and terrorism, the proxy dimension of the war since the 1980s produced countless intended and unintended consequences such as state fragility, terrorism, sectarianism, war crimes, social fragmentation, and radicalization. On the other hand, mistakes made on all sides, especially by the Trump administration in Washington, created both inspiration and hope for many extremist groups in the region.
Kevinn,
I think you have well characterized the dilemma in Afghanistan in this blog post. It certainly appears that the Taliban have decided to continue their military attacks until the US fully departs. What is unknown, of course, is whether they will abide by anything they may agree to as part of the peace process–for example, the role of women in Afghan society. When they were last in power, as you may know, they took a very severe, authoritarian approach toward women’s roles–they were essentially prisoners in their homes and could neither work nor go to school. This is likely to complicate the completion of a peace agreement. Much will depend on the approach taken by the incoming Biden administration.
–Professor Wallerstein