Afghanistan: The Foreign Powers’ Reactions to the Crisis are Ironically Inward-Oriented

On Sunday, August 14, Afghanistan experienced a turning point in its history that will deeply influence the country in the years to come. News channels and social media users have subsequently drawn our attention to the insecurity the country has been plunged into. What perhaps has been less scrutinised is the reaction of world leaders to this situation. Their speeches and announcements are crucial and will affect Afghan lives in the near future and in the long term. When looking closely at different discourses from foreign politicians, one notices that they serve national purposes. As the evacuation process draws to an end (it will officially end on Tuesday, August 31), let’s take a look back and focus on some foreign governments’ and organisations’ initial reactions to the Afghanistan crisis and what they imply.

I. THE EUROPEAN UNION

While the European Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, had asked EU member states to “increase resettlement quotas to help those in need of international protection and to offer complementary legal pathways”, the country currently presiding over the European Council, Slovenia, is reluctant to open migration corridors for Afghanistan, citing the fear of a repeat of the 2015 migrant crisis. The Slovenian Presidency has convened a meeting of EU home affairs ministers to be held on August 31, hoping to coordinate the EU’s position and response to the potential impact of the Afghanistan situation vis-à-vis the migration and security situation in Europe. 

Writer’s Note

This rather reactionary attitude can also be found in the French president’s speech. Like most leaders, Macron agreed to welcome all Afghans who collaborated with the French army. At the same time, he also warned against what he called the risk of “irregular migratory flows” that can destabilise Europe. His discourse has had a resounding echo in French society. Indeed, some speculate that as the presidential elections will be held in less than a year, Macron is trying to appeal to both ends of the electorate. 

II. THE UNITED STATES

Given their heavy involvement in Afghanistan for 20 years, the US does have a strong responsibility in Afghanistan’s current situation. Consequently, their actions are crucial in how the crisis will unfold. US soldiers dealt with the Taliban and obtained their agreement to not interfere in the airport sector. Still, the situation remains extremely tense and Biden’s speeches are consequently focused on what can be controlled: American efforts to mitigate the situation in Kabul. Indeed, the country is the backbone of the evacuation process. The airlift they organise is said to be one of the biggest in history, according to Jen Psaki, the White House’s spokesperson. More than that, official US sources also say that American troops have evacuated more than 109,200 Afghans since August 14. 

However, Biden’s government still faces some challenges. Indeed, Afghanistan is a divided territory facing multiple threats. Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked Afghans heading to Kabul’s airport on Thursday, killing more than 170 people.  Despite its 20-year presence in the country, the US’ failure in its fight against terrorism is once again highlighted, making its retreat from Afghanistan humiliating. 

Moreover, the US is ridiculed abroad for their disastrous retreat of Afghanistan. Indeed, what happens in Afghanistan can resonate in other parts of the world due to the US’ military presence in countries all across the globe. In Asia, it has important ties with Taiwan. The Americans agreed to protect the island in the case of a Chinese attack. However, the US’ struggles in the Middle East are a blow fired at their own reputation as well as at their allies and Washington’s reliability will subsequently suffer on the international stage. One can therefore infer that the US’ omnipresence in the evacuation process is also a way to retain its honour. It is at least the only way they have at their disposal for the moment.

III.CHINA

China was not part of the coalition led by the US. Shortly after the takeover, China was one of the first countries to indicate that it would recognise the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. The Chinese government has extended its hand for collaboration with the Taliban as it believes that they are crucial in the reconciliation and reconstruction of the country. 

More than Beijing’s rhetoric of non-interference in a country’s internal affairs, another reason can be advanced to understand this reaction. Afghanistan is one of China’s neighbouring countries and it is safe to say that the former would prefer to not have trouble at its borders.

Writer’s Note:

The political stance adopted by foreign powers in reaction to the crisis has a concrete impact on Afghanistan’s situation, but one can see that despite the urgent crisis, each country consistently puts their own interests first. Using international affairs to uphold national interests is disrespectful of the Afghans’ despair but is a recurrent strategy in politics. The internally-focused speeches that we have witnessed since August 14 further prove that the Occident has lost the authority and influence they had over the country during the war in Afghanistan. As a consequence, Afghans, as well as foreign governments, will only be able to fully realise the impact of the Taliban takeover when the states that were part of the coalition leave the Afghan territory completely. Nonetheless, their impact can already be sketched in the humanitarian and diplomatic fields.

Firstly, the Taliban has promised the world that they have changed since the last time they were in power and that their regime will be less restrictive. But Afghans - notably minorities and those accused of working with foreign powers -  are not safe: Amnesty International revealed that the Taliban were responsible for the brutal killing of nine Hazara men. This massacre occurred in July when the Taliban was not in control of Afghanistan. Amnesty International also reported on the fact that many killings and arrests will never be reported as the Taliban have cut mobile phone service in most areas they captured.

Moreover, those trying to flee their native land are in great danger. A large proportion of European states is reluctant to welcome a large number of refugees so we don't know how the latter will be welcomed and supported in their host countries.

Last but not least, the consequences of the takeover and the disastrous withdrawal executed by the US will surely arouse tensions in other parts of the world. This is greatly due to the fact that the US has a strong military presence in numerous countries all over the world. Therefore, a US defeat undermines its allies and advantages the opposite side.

All these sources of worry lead to this conclusion: the worst is yet to come.

Editors’ Note:

If you have been affected by this situation, please contact UCL’s Support Services or call the Care First helpline. Students outside the UK can contact the Global Student Assistance Programme.

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