Is Afghanistan better after US left?
Introduction
Afghanistan is not better off since the U.S. troops left in August 2021. The country faces significant challenges across economic, social, and political fronts:
Economic Decline
Afghanistan’s economy contracted by 20.7% in 2021 and a further 3.6% in 2022.
The country’s GDP is projected to stagnate until at least 2025, with per capita income shrinking due to population growth.
About half of the population lives in poverty, with 15 million people facing food insecurity.
Humanitarian Crisis
The sudden withdrawal of international aid, which previously accounted for 40% of GDP, has led to a sharp economic downturn.
Approximately 22.9 million people require humanitarian assistance to survive.
The proportion of households unable to meet basic food needs more than doubled from 16% to 36% between 2021 and 2022.
Political Instability
The Taliban quickly regained control after the U.S. withdrawal, effectively erasing two decades of progress in liberal and democratic rights.
The interim Taliban administration has implemented restrictive policies, particularly affecting women and girls.
Women’s Rights Setbacks
Girls are banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade.
Women are prohibited from working in most sectors and face severe restrictions on movement and public participation.
Security Concerns
There are fears that Afghanistan may once again become a safe haven for terrorist groups.
The presence of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul (before his death in a U.S. drone strike) raised concerns about terrorist activities.
International Isolation
Afghanistan faces political isolation due to the Taliban’s repressive policies.
The country has lost access to the international banking system and offshore foreign exchange reserves.
Conclusion
While the end of active conflict has brought some stability, the overall situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly since the U.S. withdrawal. The country faces a complex set of challenges, including human rights violations, economic instability, food insecurity, and the impacts of climate-related natural disasters. The gains made towards the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals over the past two decades have rapidly eroded.
