Afghanistan Update: Anti-Taliban Resistance and Protests, Refugees, International Taliban Relations, Continued War on Terrorism in Afghanistan

Anti-Taliban Resistance and Protests: The resistance to the Taliban has held out for nearly three weeks since the fall of Kabul. It is centered in the Province of Panjshir, inhabited by ethnic Tajiks. Local militia have been bolstered by remnants of the Afghan army, commandos and police from across Afghanistan who have fled to the naturally fortified valley famous for its successful resistance both to the Soviets and the Taliban before the Pakistani-created militia was removed from power by the United States and its allies after the September 11 Terrorist Attacks, committed by al-Qaeda, whom the Taliban harbored. The resistance is led by the former Vice President, who is acting president because the President fled the country. The caretaker president is joined by the Defense Minister and the Western military-educated son of Ahmed Shah Massoud, the Lion of the Panjshir, who had resisted the Soviets and Taliban before being assassinated by al-Qaeda shortly before September 11. The National Resistance Front is calling for an elected parliament representing all of Afghanistan’s ethnic groups, none of which constitutes a majority of the population, and all major religious sects, autonomy for provinces, respect for equality and human rights and preventing Afghanistan from again threatened the world as a base for Islamist terrorism. Meanwhile, there has also been armed resistance by ethnic Hazara militias, as the Hazaras are Shi’ite, a Muslim sect the Taliban rejects. There have also been scattered protests across Afghanistan, which the Taliban do not tolerate. In addition to trying to govern a multi-ethnic and religiously diverse state with a harsh Islamist policy, the Taliban will also have to contend with terrorists of the Islamic State, a more violent offshoot of al-Qaeda. Furthermore, the Taliban will have to take responsibility for Afghanistan’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic, amidst a severe humanitarian crisis. Afghan Refugees: The Kabul airport has been re-opened for foreign and domestic flights. In addition to international efforts to send humanitarian aid, Americans, other foreigners and eligible Afghans could possibly evacuate on any available flights. Over 100,000 Afghans were able to escape, along with Americans and other foreigners in the largest airlift in history by the U.S. its NATO allies and other foreign States. Other Afghans were able to escape across the border, joining over two million Afghans as refugees in Pakistan and Iran. International Policy toward the Taliban: The U.S. and most of its NATO allies, among other foreign States, are unlikely to recognize the regime the Taliban is forming as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, despite the militia’s pledge of an inclusive government and tolerance. The international community is maintaining dialogue with the Taliban, but insisting on an inclusive government for the multi-ethnic state that respects rights and does not allow Afghanistan to return to being a base for terrorists. The Taliban are intertwined with and supported by al-Qaeda and other Islamist terrorists and have engaged in reprisal killings and are violating human rights in numerous ways as they have declared an Islamist state based on a strict interpretation of Islam that is not shared by most Afghans. The U.S. may also continue economic sanctions against the Taliban, freeze Afghan bank accounts, and cut off any aid to Afghanistan that would be routed through the Taliban. Foreign States are considering similar responses. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have already cut off Afghanistan from aid. There have been international protests of Afghans living in asylum against recognition of the Taliban. Continued War on Terrorism in Afghanistan: The U.S. has declared its intent to continue to strike terrorists in Afghanistan, but its ability to conduct strikes from outside of the country will be limited by the unnecessary withdrawal of the relatively small U.S.-led NATO force that had supported the Afghan government in a mostly advisory role in preventing a return to power of the Taliban, lest it again provide safe haven for its ally, al-Qaeda, to plot and train for more terrorist and other attacks.