In less than 24 hours, a House panel is set to hear damning testimony regarding the chaotic aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. After two years and five months since U.S. servicemembers left the country, the Taliban seized control of Kabul, leading to revenge attacks on those who had supported the U.S. efforts over the past two decades.
Testifying before Congress in April of last year, Diana Shaw, the acting inspector general of the State Department, highlighted the consequences of the hasty withdrawal. These consequences include a nearly doubled number of Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance since the Taliban took power, as well as the severe curtailment of the rights of women and girls. Additionally, the Afghan special immigrant visa (SIV) program still has over 152,000 SIV applicants in Afghanistan. While some progress has been made, with approximately 10,800 applicants receiving chief of mission approval for a U.S. visa, there are still around 67,000 applicants being reviewed. Moreover, tens of thousands more have initiated the application process.
Concerns over retribution against Afghan allies left behind by the U.S. have been raised, with a U.N. report published in August documenting numerous instances of extrajudicial killing, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, and enforced disappearance carried out by the Taliban against individuals affiliated with the former government and its security forces.
According to various organizations and partners, numerous reports of threats, torture, and execution have been documented, highlighting a higher number than the official figures suggest. Many individuals who worked with the U.S. have been forced to separate from their families and hide in safe houses for extended periods. They also face uncertainty regarding their visa applications and struggle to access basic necessities like food, housing, and firewood.
The impact of the situation on the veteran community is significant. Veterans who had trusted Afghan interpreters and others with their lives now feel helpless. The moral injury they suffer stems from questioning the purpose of their sacrifices, feeling betrayed by the loss of trust in institutions and the erosion of American ideals.
Despite the urgency of the situation, Congress has yet to pass legislation addressing this issue comprehensively. Organizations on the ground are calling for viable and safe pathways to be established for Afghan allies, emphasizing the importance of forming a public-private partnership with the government to address the humanitarian crisis effectively.
The consequences of failing to fulfill promises to Afghan allies are far-reaching. It sends a message to allies worldwide that the U.S. may not uphold its commitments, potentially undermining future partnerships. The impact on national security, military retention, and recruitment cannot be overlooked, as it threatens the stability and effectiveness of U.S. military operations globally.
As the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Oversight Committee prepares to hear testimony on this critical issue, it is hoped that the gravity of the situation will prompt meaningful action to address the humanitarian crisis and uphold America's promises to its Afghan allies.
