The Taliban commemorated the third anniversary of their resurgence by flaunting their American-supplied arsenal, a testament to the chaotic and disastrous Biden administration withdrawal from Afghanistan. The parade served as a grim reminder of the U.S. military's failure and the Taliban's resurgence.
Three years after the chaotic and ill-fated withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, the Taliban celebrated their resurgence with a victory parade, showcasing their control and power. The event, held on Wednesday at the former Bagram Airfield, once the epicenter of America's war against terrorism, served as a stark reminder of the Biden administration's disastrous decision to abandon the country.
Three Years of Taliban Rule: A Victory Parade in the Face of U.S. Failure
Armed with American weapons and vehicles left behind in the hasty retreat, Taliban soldiers marched in formation, brandishing light and heavy machine guns. Pickup trucks crammed with men of all ages drove through Kabul's streets, reveling in the Taliban's takeover. The parade was a brazen display of strength, rubbing their victory over the United States in the face of American citizens and the international community.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban-appointed deputy prime minister for economic affairs, inspected the honor guards during the parade, a symbolic gesture of the group's newfound authority. Taliban Cabinet members lauded their achievements, including strengthening Islamic law and establishing a military system that they claim has brought "peace and security" to Afghanistan.
Three Years of Taliban Rule: A Victory Parade in the Face of U.S. Failure
However, experts dismissed such claims as preposterous, pointing to the Taliban's history of harboring terrorists and their ongoing suppression of women's rights. U.S. Army Veteran Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, called the parade evidence of U.S. failure in Afghanistan. "The Biden administration's effort to get out of Afghanistan quickly has led to the Taliban having an American-supplied arsenal," Roggio stated.
The Taliban's resurgence has been a major setback for the United States and its allies, who spent billions of dollars and lost thousands of lives in the war against terrorism in Afghanistan. The hasty and chaotic withdrawal in August 2021 left behind hundreds of U.S. citizens and thousands of Afghan allies, despite President Biden's promise to "get them all out."
Three Years of Taliban Rule: A Victory Parade in the Face of U.S. Failure
The evacuation process was marred by a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and dozens of Afghan civilians. The U.S. military's retaliation with drone strikes resulted in further civilian casualties, highlighting the tragic consequences of the withdrawal.
Currently, no country recognizes the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The international community remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in the country, particularly the Taliban's suppression of women's rights. The Taliban has banned girls from attending school beyond sixth grade and imposed strict restrictions on women's mobility and employment.
Three Years of Taliban Rule: A Victory Parade in the Face of U.S. Failure
Despite the Taliban's efforts to project an image of control and stability, the country faces significant challenges. Decades of conflict and instability have left millions of Afghans on the brink of hunger and starvation. Unemployment is rampant, and the economy is in shambles.
The Taliban's grand parade on Wednesday was primarily for optics, but it also demonstrated the group's capabilities. While Roggio believes the Taliban is unlikely to project power outside Afghanistan, their control within the country remains unchallenged. The parade served as a reminder of the Taliban's resurgence and the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal.
