·        The United States’ involvement in Afghanistan spans several decades, shaped by geopolitical competition, counterterrorism efforts, and nation-building initiatives.

·        This complex relationship has evolved through distinct phases, beginning during the Cold War and continuing through to the post-2021 withdrawal period.

Analysis: Decades of US Upheaval in Afghanistan examines its strategic interests, policy shifts, military engagements, and diplomatic maneuvers, each influenced by global and regional developments. It discusses how Taliban quickly took over the Afghanistan on US withdrawal. While the United States left millions of Afghans in limbo as its strategic agendas moved somewhere else. We bring in some data on specific periods first.

I. Cold War Era (1979–1989): The Anti-Soviet Jihad

The U.S. intense involvement in Afghanistan began in the late 1970s, prompted by the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979. The invasion was seen in Washington as a significant threat to American interests in the Persian Gulf and South Asia. It took it as a possible attempt by the Soviet Union to gain access to warm-water ports and energy resources in the region.

In response, the United States, under President Jimmy Carter and later President Ronald Reagan, adopted a policy of supporting the Afghan Mujahideen—resistance fighters who opposed Soviet occupation. This effort was part of a broader Cold War strategy to contain Soviet influence worldwide. Through Operation Cyclone, the CIA covertly funded and armed various Mujahideen factions via Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Billions of dollars in aid were funneled into Afghanistan during this period, with weapons and resources provided to insurgent groups.

Although the U.S. did not directly intervene militarily, its proxy support significantly contributed to the Soviet Union’s decision to withdraw in 1989. However, the war left Afghanistan deeply fragmented, militarized, and without a coherent national government, setting the stage for future instability.

II. Post-Soviet Withdrawal and Civil War (1989–2001): Strategic Neglect and the Rise of the Taliban

Following the Soviet withdrawal, the United States drastically reduced its engagement in Afghanistan. With the Cold War ending and the Soviet Union collapsing in 1991, Afghanistan lost its strategic importance to Washington. American attention shifted away, resulting in what many scholars have called a “strategic neglect.”

During the 1990s, Afghanistan descended into a brutal civil war as various Mujahideen factions vied for control. This conflict created a power vacuum that facilitated the rise of the Taliban, an Islamist movement originating from religious seminaries in Pakistan. By 1996, the Taliban had captured Kabul and established an Islamic Emirate, imposing a strict interpretation of Sharia law.

Despite human rights concerns, particularly regarding the treatment of women, the U.S. maintained minimal engagement, viewing Afghanistan primarily through the lens of narcotics control and counterterrorism. The Taliban’s harboring of Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, however, gradually brought Afghanistan back into U.S. strategic calculations.

III. Post-9/11 Era and the Global War on Terror (2001–2014): Invasion and Nation-Building

The attacks of September 11, 2001, orchestrated by al-Qaeda from its base in Afghanistan, fundamentally altered U.S. policy. On October 7, 2001, the United States, with support from NATO and other allies, launched Operation Enduring Freedom, aimed at dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power.

The initial military campaign was swift. With the assistance of the Northern Alliance, a coalition of anti-Taliban Afghan forces, the Taliban regime collapsed by December 2001. The U.S. then embarked on an ambitious nation-building project, seeking to create a democratic and stable Afghanistan. This involved:

• Establishing a new government under President Hamid Karzai.
• Training the Afghan National Army and police.
• Investing in infrastructure, education, and health care.
• Promoting Western version of human rights and women’s empowerment.

Despite substantial international support, the mission faced persistent challenges. The Taliban regrouped in Pakistan and launched an insurgency that escalated in the mid-2000s. Corruption, poor governance, and ethnic rivalries within Afghanistan undermined U.S. efforts to stabilize the country.

IV. NATO Involvement and the Surge Strategy (2006–2014): Escalation and Frustration

As violence increased, the U.S. and NATO expanded their military presence. By 2010, under President Barack Obama, American troop levels peaked at around 100,000. This escalation, known as the Afghan surge, was intended to suppress the Taliban insurgency and provide space for political reconciliation and institution-building.

The strategy produced mixed results. While it temporarily weakened the Taliban, it failed to deliver a decisive blow or secure lasting peace. The Afghan government continued to struggle with legitimacy and internal coherence. Despite improvements in some sectors—such as urban education and healthcare—the gains were uneven and fragile.

In 2011, the U.S. announced plans for a phased withdrawal, transferring security responsibilities to Afghan forces. The NATO combat mission formally ended in December 2014, transitioning to a smaller advisory mission under Operation Resolute Support.

V. Drawdown and the Doha Agreement (2015–2021): Political Negotiations and Withdrawal

From 2015 onward, the U.S. strategy shifted from counterinsurgency to counterterrorism and political reconciliation. Afghan forces took the lead in combat operations, while the U.S. focused on training, intelligence, and limited air support.

Meanwhile, backchannel talks began between the U.S. and the Taliban, culminating in the Doha Agreement signed on February 29, 2020. Brokered under President Donald Trump’s administration, the agreement included:

1. A U.S. commitment to withdraw all troops by May 2021.
2. Taliban assurances to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan soil.
3. Initiation of intra-Afghan peace talks.

However, the peace process faltered as the Taliban intensified attacks, and intra-Afghan dialogue made little progress.

VI. Collapse of the Afghan Government and U.S. Withdrawal (2021)

Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to withdraw, setting a final deadline of August 31, 2021. The rapid U.S. exit precipitated a stunning collapse of the Afghan government. Despite years of training and billions in support, Afghan security forces crumbled as the Taliban advanced. Kabul fell on August 15, 2021, marking the return of the Taliban to power.

The chaotic withdrawal was marked by scenes of desperation at Kabul airport, including a deadly bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghan civilians. The hasty exit drew widespread criticism and raised questions about the effectiveness of two decades of U.S. engagement.

VII. Post-Withdrawal Phase (2021–Present): Humanitarian Crisis and Strategic Recalibration

Since the withdrawal, the United States has adopted a policy of “over-the-horizon” counterterrorism—relying on intelligence and occasional drone strikes rather than direct military presence.

The reassertion of Taliban rule has led to:

• A humanitarian crisis, with millions facing food insecurity and economic collapse.
• A rollback of women’s rights and civil liberties.
• Diplomatic isolation of the Taliban government, which remains unrecognized internationally.

The U.S. has also faced a dilemma: how to deliver humanitarian aid without legitimizing the Taliban. Washington has worked with international partners and NGOs to provide assistance while maintaining sanctions on the Taliban leadership.

Strategically, Afghanistan has receded from the U.S. foreign policy spotlight, overshadowed by growing focus on China, Russia, and global economic challenges. Nonetheless, Afghanistan remains a potential security concern, particularly regarding the resurgence of terrorist groups.

Analysis: Decades of US Upheaval in Afghanistan

The U.S. involvement in Afghanistan is one of the longest and most complex military engagements in American history. It reveals several enduring lessons:

• Limits of Military Power: Despite overwhelming force, achieving political and social transformation proved elusive.
• The Importance of Local Context: Failure to fully understand Afghan culture, politics, and history hindered effective policy-making.
• Strategic Clarity: Over time, the mission shifted from counterterrorism to nation-building without a clear end goal.
• Exit Strategies: The chaotic 2021 withdrawal underscores the importance of planning and coordination in military disengagements.

Afghanistan today stands as a sobering reminder of the challenges of foreign intervention, especially in regions marked by deep-seated conflict and fragility. The U.S. role, from anti-Soviet proxy war to post-9/11 occupation and eventual withdrawal, will continue to be analyzed for its geopolitical, moral, and human consequences for decades to come.

The most imperative aspect is how the United States has used and later trashed the Afghans who had joined the American forces in Afghanistan. Today, millions of those Afghans are left at the mercy of the Taliban whom they fought while supporting the US forces. It leaves a genuine question: Is United States a reliable partner?