Twenty-three years have passed since the devastating terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which reshaped the global geopolitical landscape and placed Afghanistan at the center of international conflict.

The attacks, planned and orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden from his base in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, prompted the United States to launch a military invasion. The US-led coalition aimed to dismantle terrorist networks and overthrow the Taliban regime, which had provided sanctuary to bin Laden and his followers.

The relationship between the Taliban and al Qaeda is particularly troubling for Western governments.

Over two decades later, Afghanistan remains a nation struggling with the consequences of conflict, instability, and the aftershocks of the US war on terror.

The invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 marked the beginning of what would become the longest war in US history. The primary objectives of the invasion were to eliminate al Qaeda, capture or kill bin Laden, and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a terrorist haven.

In the early years of the war, these goals appeared within reach, as coalition forces ousted the Taliban from power and established a new Afghan government. However, the mission evolved into a complex and protracted counterinsurgency effort as the years passed.

The primary objectives of the invasion were to eliminate al Qaeda, capture or kill bin Laden, and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a terrorist haven.

The Taliban regrouped, launching a violent insurgency that would persist for years. Despite efforts to build Afghan security forces and promote nation-building, the war became increasingly costly in terms of lives and resources.

By 2011, a significant milestone was reached when US Navy SEALs located and killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. However, the war in Afghanistan raged on, with little end in sight. The human toll of the conflict was staggering.

More than 3,500 coalition troops, including over 2,400 Americans, lost their lives, while tens of thousands of Afghan civilians were killed in the violence.

The war also displaced millions of people and destroyed much of Afghanistan’s infrastructure, leaving behind a deeply divided and fragmented society.

The country struggled to achieve lasting peace or stability despite the billions of dollars spent on reconstruction efforts.

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In August 2021, nearly 20 years after the 9/11 attacks, the United States completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, under the direction of President Joe Biden. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the swift return of the Taliban to power stunned the world.

Images of desperate Afghans crowding Kabul’s airport, attempting to flee the country as US troops evacuated, became an enduring symbol of the chaotic end to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.

The fall of Kabul marked the end of America’s longest war, but it also raised critical questions about the long-term success of the intervention.

Today, the Taliban once again control the country, and although they had promised a more moderate approach compared to their brutal rule in the 1990s, their governance is marked by widespread repression.

The Taliban’s resurgence after two decades of US military presence has cast doubt on the overall effectiveness of the war effort. While the initial goal of removing the Taliban from power was accomplished in 2001, the group’s return in 2021 underscores the enduring difficulties of establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Today, the Taliban once again control the country, and although they had promised a more moderate approach compared to their brutal rule in the 1990s, their governance is marked by widespread repression. The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women’s rights, barred girls from secondary education, and curtailed freedom of expression, drawing widespread condemnation from the international community.

Since the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan has plunged into a deep humanitarian crisis. The collapse of the economy, combined with international sanctions and the suspension of foreign aid, has driven millions of Afghans into extreme poverty.

According to the United Nations, nearly half of Afghanistan’s population, roughly 20 million people, is now facing acute food insecurity. The situation is especially dire for children, many of whom suffer from severe malnutrition due to the lack of food and medical supplies.

Humanitarian organizations have struggled to operate in the country under Taliban rule, further complicating efforts to provide relief to those in need.

The fate of Afghan women and girls is particularly tragic in the post-9/11 era. Under the previous government, Afghan women had made significant strides in education, employment, and civil rights, supported by international aid and advocacy efforts.

The fate of Afghan women and girls is particularly tragic in the post-9/11 era.

However, since the Taliban’s return, these hard-won gains have been systematically erased. The Taliban’s policies, including banning women from working in most public roles and restricting their freedom of movement, have drawn sharp criticism from global human rights organizations.

Female activists who once worked to build a more inclusive and progressive Afghanistan now find themselves in hiding, silenced, or forced into exile. Despite international pressure, the Taliban have remained resolute in its repressive policies, further isolating Afghanistan from the global community.

Another pressing concern is the resurgence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. One of the key justifications for the US invasion in 2001 was to prevent the country from being used as a base for international terrorist networks. While al Qaeda’s presence has been significantly diminished, the threat posed by extremist groups remains.

The United Nations has warned that both al Qaeda and the Islamic State’s Khorasan branch (IS-K) continue to operate in Afghanistan.

The relationship between the Taliban and al Qaeda is particularly troubling for Western governments, as credible reports are indicating that the two groups maintain close ties. This is despite the Taliban’s assurances that Afghanistan will not be used for terrorism. Meanwhile, IS-K has launched a series of deadly attacks, targeting Afghan civilians and Taliban fighters alike. The group’s growing presence in Afghanistan poses a serious threat to regional and global security.

One of the most pressing concerns for Pakistan is the Afghan Taliban’s backing of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s instability has profound implications for the broader region.

Neighboring Pakistan, which has historically played a complex and often controversial role in Afghan affairs, has borne the brunt of the conflict in Afghanistan. As a major non-NATO ally in the U.S.-led war on terror, Pakistan played a pivotal role in providing intelligence, logistics, and military support to the coalition forces.

However, this involvement came at a steep price. Pakistan has lost more than 80,000 lives — both civilians and members of its security forces — over the past two decades due to the rise in terrorism, much of it fueled by cross-border militancy.

The spillover effects of the war in Afghanistan have made Pakistan a battleground for extremist groups, leading to devastating attacks on Pakistani soil. Despite these sacrifices, Pakistan continues to grapple with the consequences of its alliance with the US, as it faces growing internal security challenges and rising incidents of terrorism along its border with Afghanistan.

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Despite Pakistan hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the past four decades, the relationship between the two countries remains fraught with tension.

One of the most pressing concerns for Pakistan is the Afghan Taliban’s backing of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant group responsible for some of the deadliest attacks on Pakistani security forces.

This support has led to a surge in cross-border terrorism, exacerbating Pakistan’s internal security challenges.

While Pakistan has long provided sanctuary to Afghan refugees fleeing conflict, the Afghan Taliban’s tolerance and protection of the TTP have deepened mistrust and strained bilateral relations, complicating efforts to achieve stability in the region.

The withdrawal of US forces and the return of the Taliban have further complicated Pakistan’s security landscape, with cross-border terrorism and militant activities on the rise.

Furthermore, Pakistan’s role in the war on terror has strained its relationships both regionally and internationally.

Domestically, the war has exacerbated political tensions and economic instability. The influx of millions of Afghan refugees has placed a significant burden on Pakistan’s already struggling economy, while terrorist attacks have eroded public confidence in the government’s ability to maintain security.

Regionally, Pakistan’s relationship with the US remains complicated, as the two countries continue to navigate the legacy of their partnership in the war on terror.

The challenges of cross-border terrorism, extremism, and economic uncertainty persist, making it difficult for Pakistan to emerge from the shadow of the war on terror.

Afghanistan’s future is now being shaped by the interests of regional powers such as China, Russia, and Iran. These countries have sought to engage with the Taliban, driven by concerns about stability and the potential for Afghanistan to become a hub for extremism once again. China, in particular, has expressed interest in Afghanistan’s mineral wealth and strategic location, while maintaining a cautious approach to dealing with the Taliban regime.

The United States and its Western allies continue to grapple with how to engage with a Taliban-led Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s takeover, most Western governments have refrained from recognizing the regime, instead opting for diplomatic isolation and the provision of conditional humanitarian aid.

However, this strategy has been criticized for exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Afghans, while allowing other powers to gain influence in the region.

The challenge of how to support the Afghan people without legitimizing the Taliban remains a central dilemma for the international community.

As the world marks 23 years since the 9/11 attacks, Afghanistan remains a symbol of the complex and often tragic legacy of international intervention.

The country continues to grapple with violence, poverty, and instability, and its people face an uncertain future under Taliban rule.

While the initial objectives of the US invasion — to defeat al Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power—were achieved, the long-term consequences of the war in Afghanistan are deeply troubling.

The country continues to grapple with violence, poverty, and instability, and its people face an uncertain future under Taliban rule.

For many Afghans, the last two decades have been defined by conflict, displacement, and lost opportunities.

As Afghanistan navigates its future, the international community must confront the difficult question of how to engage with a country that remains, 23 years after 9/11, at the heart of global security concerns.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has consistently issued warnings about al-Qaeda’s renewed presence, noting that Afghanistan has once again become a sanctuary for the group. According to UNSC reports, al-Qaeda now operates eight training centers and maintains an arms depot within the country.

Alongside al Qaeda, the UNSC has flagged the growing threat posed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the IS-K.

Both groups are active in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, raising alarm over potential cross-border attacks that could destabilize neighboring regions.