The US decision to leave Afghanistan came following the Doha Agreement that was signed between former President Trump and the Taliban in February 2020, stating that the US troops would withdraw from Afghanistan by May 2021. This provided them the prime opportunity to impose themselves into power. When the Biden Administration took office, 3 months away from the agreement’s fulfillment no exit plan was available while the Taliban was already at the height of its military preparedness. Once it took power, it was clear that the nation and state institutions that flourished during the US presence were going to be undermined, if not completely revoked.

Once the Taliban seized Kabul, it was not just a show of force, it was a complete rewriting of the capital’s modern history, the openness to differences, acceptance of Human Rights, and the respect of rights and freedoms, particularly that of women and young girls. The different measures that were taken wiped out Afghans’ standard of living and the whole middle class. Although they imposed their power and wreaked havoc on every agreement and understanding the country had both internally and externally; they also created an aura of puzzled mystery and fascination: “How can such an extremist group take hold of an entire country, and have the whole world watch in awe?”

It was a grim reality to see people run after airplanes, giving their children away to US soldiers knowing that they’ll have a better future with strangers, than with their parents in Kabul. But it did happen, and the lives of Afghans are threatened on a daily basis under severe conditions.  Although the country is secluded from the international community, its leaders have integrated into Afghan governance, gained control but not are recognized, and are now trying to reintroduce themselves as a governing body. International organizations such as United Nations agencies and the World Bank are able to carry out certain functions under the Taliban leadership and their newly established Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The transition into a proper functioning government is still a mystery in Afghanistan with an obvious lack of transparency surrounding the leadership. The economy, health, educational, and political sectors are all operational, however little is known about plans, elections, or economic reforms, knowing that the current governing body is transitional.

The Economy

The country is facing poverty and extreme hunger with increasing limitations of foreign currency flowing into the country; according to a UN report, more than 40 million people are in need of help and almost all Afghans were living in poverty and at risk of suffering food insecurity. The Taliban has to deal with an extremely challenging economic situation with a GDP that has shrunk more than 30% since taking office, with around seven hundred thousand jobs being lost. Needing the international community to start playing a more active role, however, would require concessions and compromises that the Taliban might not be ready to make, yet.

On May 31, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani met with Taliban Chief Haibatullah Akhunzada in Kandahar. According to a report by Reuters, the two discussed ways to resolve the tension with the international community. The Taliban came under heavy criticism for their ban on girls’ education and women’s employment, which a UN report considers a crime against humanity. The Biden Administration is being briefed on the talks but the meeting, for now, is considered a diplomatic success for Qatar which is capitalizing on its “long-standing ties with the Islamist movement to push for deeper engagement with Kabul by the international community.”

Why Qatar?

Qatar has always had relations with the Taliban, allowing them to open a political office in 2013 while facilitating talks with the US that culminated with the Doha Agreement. This is a strategy that Qatar has always used in the region. By always opening channels of communication with militants and groups considered a threat by the international community such as the Muslim Brothers, Hamas, and the Taliban, it introduces itself as a necessary negotiator in ensuring regional stability and dialogue. From the Qatari perspective, isolation is not a strategy to deal with the Taliban, which could actually backfire, threaten regional stability and possibly become a safe haven for terrorist organizations such Al-Qaeda despite Taliban statements denying that.

On May 1, Qatar hosted UN talks with the presence of 25 countries, although the Afghan government was not invited. The closed-door meeting covered the humanitarian crisis but did not reach a decisive solution or road map. According to the UN Chief office, as quoted by Al-Jazeera, the meeting “is intended to achieve a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban” among other topics such as women’s and girls’ rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking.

The humanitarian and financial crises are becoming a burden on the Taliban who still lacks considerable skills in running an administration and state institutions. A breakthrough can only be considered as such when the Taliban ends its ban on girls attending schools and universities, and women working, including female staff in aid groups; a condition that the West will not be lenient with. The fact that the meeting took place is a sign of a more willing Taliban seeking to end its international isolation. How far will the leadership engage in responding to international pressure is a question that remains open-ended, particularly as it’s led by hardline Islamists who believe in the fundamental pillars of a strict Islamic society built on rigid and unwavering foundations.

By Marita Kassis