It is also vital in acknowledging how much more likely smaller powers like Afghanistan are to suffer lasting trauma than any of their larger, more powerful invaders. Understanding this historical reality is critical to grasping why the United States is unlikely to suffer serious long-term effects from its long and wasteful occupation of Afghanistan - or from the bloody, bumbling withdrawal. Afghanistan, in its long existence, has sadly been more like the roadkill of empires - a victim to their ambitions. The only trouble is that it doesn’t have much to do with actual history. It’s a catchy phrase, one that evokes images of European statesmen playing “the Great Game” for Asia, Rudyard Kipling writing, “A fool lies here who tried to hustle the East,” and maybe even Indiana Jones swinging through the Temple of Doom. “Afghanistan,” we are told, as if this explains everything, “is the graveyard of empires.”įrom Alexander the Great to 21st-century America, Afghanistan is supposed to have grievously weakened, if not ruined, all who dared to cross its borders. It seems to spring from the lips of every other television commentator. involvement in Afghanistan, the old epitaph has been revived already in dozens of newspaper headlines, editorial cartoons and think pieces. “They each have great things that they can contribute to the world, and in order for us to progress as a species, I think everyone needs to get them educated and opportunities to really be educated and developed to who they can be and then given the chance to contribute,” she said.It was inevitable. Kita said people need to understand that men and women are of equal value. When looking at the history of Afghanistan under Taliban rule, women have been treated unfairly and lost many of their rights. Throughout the world, women have faced discrimination in that they have not been given the same opportunities in jobs, education, and personal freedom. Moxley agreed, saying, “I certainly think that things could have been done differently, especially if those in decision-making positions would have studied the history of the area.” “I definitely think this could have been avoided…when it comes to exit strategies,” Weller said, “you think about humanitarian options, what are we going to do with refugees? How are we going to make sure that we continue to give the resources needed to the Afghan army?” When looking back at history, people may ask, “Do you think this could have been avoided?” In the case of Afghanistan, many people would say “yes.”Īndres Weller, an Emmaus graduate and a member of the Lehigh Valley Republican Committee, believes so. Trusting advisors and outside experts will always help add more nuance and detail to a situation” she said. There’s no way for a president (or a senator or representative) to know everything about all subjects on which they must make decisions. “The best way to go about it would be to trust experts in the field. Melissa Moxley, an Emmaus High School history teacher, concurs. Tammy Kita, an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher at Emmaus High School, would support this, as she said, “A lot of consultation with the military and the people on the ground who know how things unfolding” may have helped. One main argument that many people bring up is that President Biden should have discussed the situation more thoroughly with the military. Some people would say that this military withdrawal was not handled properly. military forces were exiting the country. Perhaps some of the greatest impacts this new government brings will be felt most by Afghan women, who may lose some of their previously held freedoms.Īs the Taliban gained more control of Afghanistan, the U.S. In August, this happened once more as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, causing the country to go into distress. Over the last half-century, other powers have stepped in, whether to forcibly take over or to simply bring stability and democracy to this country. Afghanistan may be considered the graveyard of empires.
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