Afghanistan Turmoil

    Afghanistan, an Islamic Republic and U.S. backed country in the Middle East, was taken by the Taliban in August of 2021. The Taliban raided all of the non-Taliban sites with force. They raided hospitals, schools, armories, and embassies claiming and stealing everything they could. Many Americans and American aids were now trapped in Afghanistan during this hostile takeover. The Taliban then started to threaten the American citizens as the military was trying to protect all innocents and bring citizens to safety. They eventually made a deal with the Taliban to get all U.S. citizens and aids out of Afghanistan, but there are still many Americans there struggling to get out. Since the Taliban has been in control, women have lost all of their previous rights instituted by the democracy. Many institutions for women were closed. Women were also fired from their jobs that were not related to teaching or healthcare according to Human Rights Watch. The Taliban took control of the government swiftly with their newly acquired weapons and technology from the American embassy's armory. They swept through the capital building killing almost everyone inside. With this new found power, they did what they wanted. They started killing people for fun. They would go to schools, mosques, and other populated areas and start killing people in the streets. They also controlled the media and what was put out about them. They closed a large amount of the applications that allowed free speech. They now rule with an iron fist waiting to be challenged. 

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan poses a strategic dilemma for neighboring countries

    Now, everyone knows the atrocities committed in Afghanistan. The way they took over was barbaric and cruel. They treated government officials like they were animals. They would shoot them like fish in a barrel. After they took over the government, the Taliban decided that women were no longer allowed to do the majority of tasks they could do before. They are starting to treat women like they used to in Afghanistan which was very inhumane. They are also killing people by the hundreds. They are shooting any citizens that dares to stand in their way. They are showing no regard for anyone's lives other than their own. Even then, they will sacrifice themselves for their people if it meant killing people that are not associated with them.

    I think the United States should get involved. Now that the Taliban are using our weapons and technology to kill innocent people, I believe we are obligated to step in. We handled the first incident poorly with 13 deaths of American soldiers and who knows how many citizens. This is a lot considering how many were there. The Taliban really knew what they were doing, and we were caught off guard. However, I do not think the United States should get involved the way we were previously. I do not think that a democratic nation is the best for the Afghani people. I think there should be less United States involvement within the creation of the government. They have to learn to govern and protect themselves. Helping a country start a government is good, but there is a line that the United States crosses when it comes to helping Afghanistan. This also hurts the United States' image because we could not help them in their time of need. Hopefully this turmoil will get put to rest sooner rather than later.