Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule: Is the West now backed into a corner of its own making?
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In a partial show of unity, G7 leaders agreed on conditions for recognizing and dealing with a future Taliban-led Afghan government, but there was palpable disappointment President Joe Biden could not be persuaded to extend the U.S. operation at the Kabul airport to ensure that tens of thousands of Americans, Europeans, other third-country nationals and all at-risk Afghans can be evacuated. Even taking into account all of the "extenuating circumstances," Dr. Jonathan Schroden, Director of CNA's Countering Threats and Challenges Program, does believe that the West has backed themselves into a corner of their own making. "Certainly the way in which the withdrawal was conducted left a lot to be desired. If the US had the ability to do it again, I suspect it would've made a number of different choices and planned accordingly." Looking ahead, Dr. Schroden said "it really remains to be seen which elements of the Taliban leadership come to the fore in whatever government they eventually form and announce." Which begs the question: "Can the international community work with the leaders of the Taliban today?" Can they be trusted partners and will they be more pragmatic this time around? For the time being, Dr. Schroden "does not believe that the Taliban have 'done the things that would be required to engender that kind of trust."