Kabul: The absence of war in Afghanistan in the five years since the Taliban retook power as international forces withdrew from the country doesn't mean security for the Afghan people, according to a panel discussion hosted by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, the panel, which included RFE/RL Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lisa Curtis, former US national-security adviser General H.R. McMaster, ex-Afghan Ambassador to Norway Shukria Barakzai, and regional expert Ahmad Khalid Majidyar, highlighted that Afghanistan remains at a critical crossroads. Women have been sidelined from public life, the free press has been muzzled, and civil society has been stifled.
Barakzai refuted the Taliban's claims of having brought stability and security, stating, "Security is more than absence of war." She emphasized that the lack of freedom for women and journalists, and the inability of people to participate in shaping their country's future, undermines any notion of genuine security.
When the Taliban seized power in August 2021, they promised more freedoms and rights compared to their previous regime. However, the Taliban-led government has not lived up to its pledges, particularly impacting women and girls.
The Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women's appearances, freedom of movement, and rights to work and study, with no females graduating from university in the past three years due to a ban on education beyond sixth grade. In May, the regime legalized marriage for girls as young as 9 years old and banned the use of smartphones.
McMaster, a retired United States Army lieutenant general, urged countries to recognize the Taliban as a "transnational terrorist organization" and to weaken their repressive security forces. He highlighted their connections to Al-Qaeda and Pakistan's ISI.
The Taliban has dismantled democratic institutions, centralizing power around Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, who issues edicts without any comprehensive governance or economic plan. Power remains concentrated among the Taliban's predominantly ethnic-Pashtun leadership.
The Taliban has begun seeking international recognition, potentially to attract foreign aid and investment to stabilize the economy. The lack of governance and growing economic insecurity have raised concerns about Afghanistan becoming a cauldron of insecurity once again.
Curtis stressed the need for political inclusion for Afghanistan's long-term stability, noting the risks faced by those opposing the regime. She acknowledged growing concerns in the US and other countries about the Taliban's repressive policies, especially towards women and civil society.
Efforts in the US to hold the Taliban accountable are expected, with bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for protecting Afghan women and girls.