Challenges to Afghanistan, Even After Three Years of US Withdrawal

Abstract

Afghanistan has suffered war for almost 40 long years. The political dynamics once changed after 9/11 again changed on 15 August 2021 with the fall of Kabul and the establishment of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan. The world saw a significant shift in U.S. Afghan policy, which also changed South Asia's and Central Asia's regional dynamics. Almost three years have passed since the fall of Kabul, and still, Afghanistan and Afghan people are suffering. This qualitative study, grounded in Social Institutional Theory, investigates Afghanistan's intricate challenges three years post-US withdrawal. The study employs analytical and critical methods to evaluate the enduring impacts of the withdrawal on the country's political, economic, and social spheres. The primary themes analysed include the resurgence of the Taliban, the humanitarian crisis, the decline of human rights, and the consequences for regional stability. The study underscores the complex interplay between local factors and global influences, emphasising the need for a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of Afghanistan's evolving trajectory. This research aims to clarify persistent challenges to improve informed policymaking and humanitarian efforts that reduce suffering and foster sustainable peace in Afghanistan. Furthermore, based on this research, a few recommendations for the peace process in Afghanistan have also been suggested.