Back to the Abyss: Assessing the Aftermath of U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

The August 2021 withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan marked a decisive moment, accelerating and expediting theAfghan Taliban’s bloodless return and a humanitarian crisis that has been largely neglected by the international community.This article evaluates the fallout of this withdrawal, underlining the gap between U.S. strategic exigencies and the livedrealities of Afghans, not least women and children. By prioritizing geopolitical interests over humanitarian considerations,U.S. policy has contributed to reversing two decades of progress in education, healthcare, and food security. With nearly halfthe population now facing acute food insecurity and global focus shifting elsewhere, the need for renewed, human rightsbased international engagement with Afghanistan is both urgent and morally imperative.