Taliban Taking Over, August 2021:

Abstract

The conflict in Afghanistan has lasted for many years, with changes in power, government structures, and society. Afghanistan was under the rule of Taliban, an Islamist militant group that implemented a strict interpretation of Sharia law and enforced oppressive policies, particularly towards women and minority groups. The United States got involved in Afghanistan to fight against the Taliban and prevent terrorism, especially after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. They wanted to establish a stable democratic government, so the United States and its allies launched a military campaign to remove the Taliban from power. They also tried to rebuild the country and improve security and development. However, the Taliban took over Afghanistan again in August 2021, which raised concerns about the effectiveness and long-term success of the international presence in the country. This research aims to evaluate the success of the regime change implemented by the United States in Afghanistan and analyze the historical context leading to the rise of the Taliban, the US-initiated regime change, and its aftermath. This work also explores the tactics employed, and policies implemented to gain a profound understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped Afghanistan's recent history. Ultimately, this dissertation presents an argument that the American regime change in Afghanistan was a failed endeavor.