The Consequences of a Lack of National Consensus in Afghanistan

The quick fall of Afghanistan in 2021, after US soldiers withdrew, showed how vulnerable the country’s American-established government and society were. Even after more than 20 years of U.S. “help,” the Afghan state fell quickly, prompting many to wonder what happened. One big problem stood out: Afghans didn’t have a shared belief in fighting for freedom and rights, a sense of their Nation. Instead of a united and strong resistance, many Afghan forces on both sides were full of corruption and people looking out for themselves. Money often swayed loyalties more than caring about their country’s future.

The Role of Corruption and Opportunism

During the US involvement in Afghanistan, it became clear that many groups fighting the Taliban weren’t driven by a solid wish to defend their country or protect their freedoms. Instead, these groups often included people and factions that had been bought or persuaded to join the fight. Money, not belief in the cause, was the main reason many fought. This lack of real commitment created a weak defense that couldn’t withstand pressure from a growing Taliban threat. Without a strong national agreement to fight for rights and freedoms, when the US started to leave, Afghan forces didn’t have the determination or unity to stand on their own.

Historical Will to Fight

The recent collapse is unlike other eras in Afghan history when the country resisted foreign incursions in the name of a powerful national wish and determination to defend its sovereignty. Afghanistan defeated the British Empire in the First Anglo-Afghan War?(1839-1842) in the 1800s. The British deployed military resources that far outnumbered local men and materiel, but Afghan tribes united to defend their homeland, leading to one of the worst defeats in British colonial history.

By the same token, when faced with a powerful foreign intruder, Afghan mujahideen fighters in the Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989) were unbelievably brave and tenacious. The mujahideen waged a long and bloody guerrilla war against the Soviet army, aided by a constellation of ethnic insurgents. Their unity and resolve, with help from foreign powers, eventually drove Soviet forces to withdraw and topple the Soviet-backed Afghan regime. These instances reflect how vital unity and national spirit are in pushing back against external domination. When Afghans unite for a shared purpose, they can defeat even their greatest enemies.

Comparisons with Other Nations’ Resolve

To understand the impact of this absence of cohesion, we have to examine the case of Afghanistan and contrast it with other countries that were in life-and-death peril but decided to fight hard for their rights and freedoms. When Britain was going through World War II, its citizens had to face the perpetual shelling by the Germans but never lost the determination to resist Nazi occupation. Winston Churchill’s timeless words, “We shall fight on the beaches.” “We shall never surrender” were not just words. They showed how determined the British people were to defend their homes at any cost.

In Vietnam, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops fought with a deep feeling of national togetherness and aim. Even though American military tech and firepower far outmatched them, they stood ready to bear enormous hardships and make sacrifices to reach their goal: to unite their nation and gain freedom. Most of the people shared this dedication to the cause. In the end, this led U.S. forces to pull out, and Vietnam to come together again under communist rule.

The Kurds in Iraq and Syria offer a clear difference. Despite being outgunned and outnumbered, Kurdish fighters have repeatedly taken up arms to defend their people and their land against ISIS and other threats. Their fight shows their deep commitment to freedom and self-rule, which Afghanistan lacked. The Kurds’ readiness to battle for their rights, even at an incredible personal cost, differs from the self-interest and bribery that troubled much of the Afghan resistance. However, we should remember that not all Afghans lack national resolve. Many people fought hard, were ready to fight for their country, and believed in freedom and self-rule. Unfortunately, many of these brave folks are now dead or hiding because the country as a whole couldn't resist the Taliban’s return to power. Despite their noble efforts, these sacrifices weren’t enough to overcome a corrupt and divided state.

A Look at Afghanistan’s Future

The Taliban’s quick takeover of Afghanistan didn’t happen just because the U.S. left. It shows a more significant problem: Afghans disagreed on fighting for their freedom and rights. It’s hard to stand up to threats when people don’t come together for these basic ideas. Look at Britain, Vietnam, and the Kurds; they show what can happen when people believe in their cause. Afghanistan teaches us what happens when that belief isn’t there. Afghanistan’s future now lies with individuals prepared to stand up to oppression and defend the country’s independence and sovereignty. Unfortunately, these individuals are the ones who fought the Americans and their coalition for 20 years and who won the right to govern their country, the Taliban.

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