US Military Aid in Afghanistan

Recently, you may have heard some things in the news about the United States' role in Afghanistan changing. The current United States government aims to remove troops from Afghanistan, and is currently in peace talks with the Taliban.

The United States has had troops in place in Afghanistan since 2001, when they decided to take the Taliban-controlled government out of power. The Taliban are a terrorist group that aim to establish a fundamentalist Islamic government in Afghanistan. Military action in 2001 removed the Taliban from power, but they remained present, and have steadily gained back power in Afghanistan since. The Taliban currently control ~40% of the country.

The military aid in Afghanistan has kept the Taliban from taking over the government, but US reluctance to continue providing aid has resulted in peace talks for the first time in 17 years. However, the current Afghan government may be in danger due to withdrawal of US forces, as the Taliban remains hostile to the Afghan government. The Afghan government is not currently involved in peace negotiations.

For more information, this article provides a good overview of the implications of US withdrawal in Afghanistan: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/28/us/politics/us-withdrawal-afghanistan-taliban.html

What are your countries' opinions on US involvement in Afghanistan? What responsibility do countries that provide military aid have to continue providing that aid?

Sources:

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/28/us/politics/us-withdrawal-afghanistan-taliban.html
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/21/world/asia/afghanistan-war-explainer.html

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 15, 2019 at 1:38 PM

    China recognizes the dedication and success America has shown in Afghanistan in the past, and its integral role in decreasing the influence of the Taliban. However, seeing its reluctance in providing further assistance, China understands America’s actions and decision to slowly decrease the military aid it has sent to Afghanistan. Whether it chooses to continue to provide assistance or not, the importance of a strong military presence in support of the Afghan government cannot be denied. As more military aid is withdrawn, the Taliban continues to gain influence and power. Although China would appreciate a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, it understands if it ultimately chooses to withdraw. That being said, China has steadily increased its military presence in Afghanistan and is ready to assist the country against the Taliban if necessary. Stability in Afghanistan poses benefits to the people, the government, and China, which also seeks future economic relations with the country (Bokhari, 2019).

    Regarding peace talks with the Taliban, China strongly supports more open dialogue. In fact, it has conducted multiple peace talks with both the Afghan government and the Taliban. In 2018 alone there were at least two peace talks between the Taliban and the Chinese government. These have been relatively successful, as the Chinese have been informing the Taliban of future possibilities in a stable country (Bokhari, 2019). China hopes that the U.S. continues peace talks as well, and would also encourage direct peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, something that has yet to occur.

    - The Delegation of China

    Bokhari, Farhan. “China Has Economic Aims as It Quietly Builds Bonds with Afghanistan.”
    Nikkei Asian Review, Nikkei Asian Review, 14 Jan. 2019, asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/
    Belt-and-Road/China-has-economic-aims-as-it-quietly-builds-bonds-with-Afghanistan.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 23, 2019 at 1:16 PM

    The United States, as the leader of military support in the Middle East, supports the removal of all troops from Afghanistan. Our delegation has issued over 126 billion dollars in military aid in Afghanistan since 2002. In addition, 28% has been set aside primarily towards the safe development of the Afghan government. Within the past two decades, the United States has shown support for both the people of Afghanistan and the economic development of the state. Primarily, the United States assumed an obligation to stop the terroristic rise of Al-Qaeda and Isis within the region. Since then, nearly 96% of Isis has been eliminated as well as a loss of 21,400 square miles. Under the Trump administration, plans to remove about 7,000 military personnel are already underway. Under the United States led training, the Syrian Democratic Forces or (SDF), and Peoples Protection Forces (YPG) have liberated most of Northern Afghanistan. The United States believes our exit, will be simultaneously replaced by an increase in European forces in the region. Therefore, the (YPG), (SDF) and European combatants will ensure future stability in the region. As the obligation of the United States further involvement in Afghanistan lessens, so does the issue that put us there. Afghanistan has been given billions of dollars of resources in which they have become capable of using, as well as a well-trained military that operates from the host nation. With no further dependency on the United States for aid, it's up to the Afghan government to ensure their future success.

    When providing military aid, all countries that provide it have an indirect obligation. That is to ensure no nation exploits aid, as well as decreasing future dependency of a recipient nation. The United States believes no nation should rely solely upon military aid, yet it is imperative in for some nations that cannot support themselves. Therefore, the responsibility of a country when providing military aid should aim at getting the recipient nation off it. An unhealthy dependency of that aid, when cut off can be detrimental to a nation. In addition, aid should be provided for as long its deemed necessary. But the use of aid should be taken on by the recipient nation, not under the full military control of a donor one. The decrease in dependency should be highly stressed, and a prominent responsibility for all donor nations.

    The delegation of the United States

    ReplyDelete

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