Afghanistan, Resolute Support and (sad) epilogue

The transition from ISAF mission (International Security Assistance Force) to the "Resolute Support"represents a major change in NATO's strategy in Afghanistan. The ISAF mission, which started in 2001, had the main objective of ensuring security and supporting the Afghan government in maintaining law and order, as well as in the fight against insurgent groups such as the Taliban.

On 31 December 2014, the ISAF mission officially ended, marking the end of an era of direct military involvement and active combat by international forces in Afghanistan. The following day, the1 January 2015the 'Resolute Support' mission, also led by NATO, is launched. However, this new mission has a significantly different approach and objectives than its predecessor.

Resolute support focuses mainly on training, advising and assisting the Afghan Armed Forces (ANSF) and government institutions in the country. The idea is to provide high-level support, working at the highest levels of the Afghan security forces' chain of command. The aim is to improve the functionality and capacity of the ANSF to be self-sustaining, i.e. to make the Afghan forces more autonomous and capable of managing the country's internal security without massive foreign military support.

This change of direction reflects a recognition that a lasting solution to the situation in Afghanistan requires a strong and independent Afghan national security force, capable of tackling internal challenges such as terrorism and insurgency. At the same time, 'Resolute Support' also aims to strengthen Afghan government institutions to promote greater political and social stability in the country.

The DOHA Agreement

The Doha Agreement, signed on 29 February 2020, represents a pivotal moment in the long conflict in Afghanistan.

Reached between the Taliban and the United States during Donald Trump's presidency, it marked a significant turning point in the war that had lasted since 2001. The agreement provided for the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan within 14 monthsa crucial step towards the end of direct US military intervention in the country.

Subsequently, in theApril 2021, NATO Atlantic Council ministers announced a withdrawal plan that would follow a similar trajectory. This decision, coordinated with the Doha agreement, indicated that the withdrawal of NATO forces from the 'Resolute Support' mission in Afghanistan would begin on 1 May 2021.

It was planned that this retreat would be completed within a few months, with the aim of being orderly and coordinated, to avoid any security gaps that could be exploited by insurgent groups.

Despite the withdrawal of troops, NATO is committed to continuing its support for Afghanistan, albeit in a different form. The communiqué issued by the Atlantic Council ministers emphasised the alliance's intention to promote peace and security and to defend the progress achieved over the past 20 years. This included support for political, social and economic reforms as well as efforts to protect human rights and especially those of women and minorities.

In parallel to these developments, US President Joe Biden announced in the same month of April that the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan would be completed by 11 September 2021, symbolically marking the end of almost two decades of US military presence in Afghanistan.

However, the withdrawal is beginning to raise concerns about the future stability of Afghanistan and the potential risk of a resurgence of internal conflict in the vacuum left by foreign forces.

The Taliban offensive in May 2021

In May, an intense Taliban offensive began to regain control of Afghanistan, taking advantage of the withdrawal of NATO troops from the country.

In the face of the Taliban's worrying advance, US President Joe Biden announces the8 July 2021 that the withdrawal of US troops would be completed by 31 August 2021thus bringing forward the previously set date of 11 September.

A significant moment occurs on 12 July with the evacuation of Bagram Air Base, the largest US air base in Afghanistan.

On this occasion, General Austin S. Miller, commander of the 'Resolute Support' mission, lowered the mission flag, thus formally marking the end of the US military commitment in Afghanistan. On the same day, General Miller submitted his resignation as commander of US and NATO forces. In his place, General Frank McKenzie took over the leadership of US forces with the task of overseeing the withdrawal of the last remaining US citizens in Afghanistan, carrying out the last phase of an extremely complex operation.

The surrender of the regular army: NATO's failure

The Afghan regular army, lacking direct military support from NATO, was unable to cope with the offensive and surrendered to the Taliban. After conquering the most important Afghan provinces between July and August, the 15 August 2021 the Talbeni entered Kabul triumphantly, shortly after members of the government and the president of the republic Ashraf Ghani had fled.

Thus began the last phase of the evacuation of troops and citizens of NATO countries, the staff of many embassies and consulates, and many of the Afghans who wanted to leave the country, especially those who had collaborated with NATO projects.

Air bridges were organised by many countries for this purpose. During those days, the airport of the Afghan capital was the scene of particularly dramatic scenes broadcast on TV all over the world.

The last plane of the evacuation left Kabul on 30 August and the Taliban militias, who had secured control and continued services of banks, hospitals and the state apparatus, temporarily closed the airport.

123,000 people were evacuated after the fall of Kabul, but tens of thousands of Afghans who feared reprisals from the Taliban were not able to leave the country and many of them piled up at border crossings waiting to be allowed into neighbouring countries.

The Taliban announced an amnesty for citizens who had collaborated with foreigners during the 20 years of war. However, similar promises had been broken 25 years before, when they had first seized power. As a result, a large part of the population was distrustful of them.

The Resolute Support mission sappresents NATO's biggest failure since its existence, a 20-year-long failure, beginning with ISAF. ISAF, a COMBAT mission, had made no dent in the Taliban military strength, and Resolute Support had not served to prepare Afghanistan as an autonomous and independent nation. The sacrifice of 3,612 coalition troops had been for nothing. Afghanistan was back, 20 years later, in the hands of the Taliban.