What is Next for Afghanistan?

 There is intense questioning and speculating about what President Biden and our government are doing to withdraw Americans, allies, and troops from Afghanistan. For reasons of military security, answering live scrutiny isn't prudent for many reasons. However, these are the facts.

1. Trump negotiated and decided to leave Afghanistan by the past May 1st.
2. Biden decided that was too soon and proceeded with a plan to depart by August 31st of 2021.
3. Criticism is that the American government made plans without the full engagement of the Afghanistan government and our allied partners.
4. Criticism is that the lack of preparedness and details for all contingencies was grossly deficient.
5. Taliban conquered Afghanistan as the Afghanistan government and military surrendered.
6. Americans were surprised by the rate and speed at which Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. 
   
   

Unintended consequences include:

1. A portion of Americans and allies may be left in Afghanistan after the August 31st deadline negotiated with the Taliban.
2. The number and location of those remaining are hard to discern because no one knows for sure who they are.
3. Military assets are lost to the Taliban, resulting from the Afghan security force's surrender.

Defense and State Department leaders cannot address these issues in real-time while operations are ongoing.

If the Taliban cooperate to permit a peaceful withdrawal and resolution for securing the safe exit of those qualifying for protection, then quiet diplomacy is best.

Already made was the decision to equip the Afghan security force with weapons and ammunition. The consequence is the Taliban got a bonus. 

The Taliban may have learned lessons and may moderate their method of governance. It will not be acceptable to the free world if they do not support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. No Islamic states do so today.

Pentagon Briefing 

Individualism

 There are two primary definitions of individualism:

One is the habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant. The second is a social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.

Being indoctrinated about freedom in America via the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, the penchant for self-determination and self-reliance is firm.

Next, come the caveats.

"Two or more people are always better than individuals for solving problems, finishing off complex tasks, and increasing creativity. Working in teams increases collaboration and allows for brainstorming. More ideas are developed, and productivity improves."*

Fair-minded and reasonable people know that democratic governance works best as a form in which to promote the benefits of individualism and essential teamwork in a productive society.

I advocate that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its thirty articles are an excellent place to begin as the UDHR is a product of global teamwork.

The nations and people who are outliers to accepting the UDHR are contrary to the overall good for everyone. Some people chip away at the UDHR by attacking women and people of different races and sexual orientations. That is simply unacceptable and, correctly, illegal.

Americans have struggled to accept their Constitutional protections throughout the nation's history. That must stop without further tolerance. The government must set the example in meeting the standard of the UDHR.

America is confronting seditionists and insurrectionists who fail to uphold these values and standards. They are no less than the enemies of the free world. Their behavior is no different than that of the Taliban or other societies that fail to accept the UDHR.

Self-sustainment and individual pursuit of thought and invention are not enemies. Enemies are those that fail to protect the foundation of Human Rights for everyone.

*https://inmotion.ba/blog/2020/01/06/teamwork-vs-individual-work/#:~:text=Two%20or%20more%20people%20are,difficult%20tasks%20and%20increasing%20creativity.&text=Working%20in%20teams%20increases%20collaboration,are%20developed%20and%20productivity%20improves.

Global War Against Oppression

How else can it be said? The fight for Human Rights isn't a mere struggle. It is a war. Who are the warring factions? The participants include:

• Individuals
• Governments
• Ideologies 
• Religions

What is the context of this war?

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as General Assembly resolution 217 A.

To me, that document became more meaningful and powerful than all the other laws and regulations for which I had come to know. It is more profoundly correct than any religion, and in my belief, it should supersede any government doctrine that fails to uphold it ultimately.

The reason for this is simple. The UDHR ensures all people everywhere have the same human rights. People and their governments may undermine them, though human rights persist in living people no matter what.

The U.S. Constitution says they are inalienable; however, the American Political System has failed throughout history to protect all people as being equal. For that, there are no excuses.

The first step forward is to understand what behavior and actions by people undermine and deny human rights. In today's modern examples, there is widespread voter suppression. There are attempts to deny people the freedom of movement, as in the case of immigration. There is economic inequality that is the capitalist system that does not ensure economic sustainability for all people. These subjects are difficult for ordinary people to understand, mainly because they are not educated to attend to their responsibilities.

Learning is life-long and becomes more difficult as people age. Sustainable governments that ensure human rights must be adaptable and grow to meet continuously changing needs. That requires people to engage their democratic governments or else risk losing their freedom and protection.

Today, the world witnesses a colossal fight in Afghanistan. Taliban ideological and religious fighters have seized power to suppress Human Rights. Afghanistan is one of many like-kind groups that repress Human Rights based on religious beliefs. It is not unlike radical Christians seeking to do the same in the United States. The heart of the issue is the standard for human rights. In most instances, religions and governments have failed the test to varying degrees.

Women and minorities serve as visible examples of people who are victims of human rights abuses. They experience inequality and are denied individual rights.

The most significant potential force against global oppression is the organization of women. They are central to changing the tide by exerting social, political, and economic force against the principal obstructionists. 

https://globalrightsforwomen.org/who-we-are/

America's Next Card in Afghanistan

No one in official government capacity can talk about it, yet I can. Americans, people from allied nations, and Afghan allies outside the perimeter of the Kabul airport are at the mercy of the Taliban. The Taliban has shown a varying degree of tolerance for U.S. journalists who are still operating in Kabul. When anyone approaches the airport, they are subjected to brutal treatment and denied free access. American military leaders say they can do nothing about that.

The buck stops with Biden. Our citizens and allies are trapped under the Taliban's control because American leadership and management failed to account for them.

The way ahead in one avenue is to negotiate with the Taliban for the safe passage of 1) Americans, 2) Foreign government allies, and 3) former Afghan employees of the U.S. government. The stickiest point is the last one, securing the freedom of Afghans. 

What would the Taliban want in exchange for the release of nearly 20-30,000 people? They desire recognition as the official government of Afghanistan. They already have our military assets left behind to Afghan security forces. Interim steps include financial relief and trade with the free world should they value it.

I recommend putting government recognition on the table for the available departure of subject persons within a month of the agreement. I also recommend that all exit avenues should be open so that people can leave by transport to neighboring nations who will accept them.

These discussions should be happening as I write this. If not, shame on the State Department and the Biden Administration.

Kabul Airport, ABC News