This archive report was first published on 2 July 2021.
July 2, 2021 - Kabul, Afghanistan - The Afghan government's grip on power is slipping, with the Taliban making significant gains across the country. President Ashraf Ghani's administration has been criticized for its handling of the crisis, with many accusing it of being detached from the reality on the ground.
Despite the dire situation, the government has been slow to respond, with some officials even engaging in high-stakes poker games in the wealthier neighborhoods of Kabul. The lack of urgency has been criticized by many, including former finance minister Omar Zakhilwal, who described the situation as 'semi-panic' within the government.
'It's beyond a crisis,' Zakhilwal said. 'The mismanagement has led us to where we are today.'
The government's failure to prepare for the withdrawal of US troops has been cited as a major factor in the current crisis. With the US departure, the Afghan military has been left to fend for itself, with many units running out of ammunition and supplies.
'They didn't have a strategic plan for when the Americans leave,' said Gen. Hilaluddin Hilal, a former deputy defense minister. 'We were not ready for the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan,' Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation, acknowledged at a recent meeting.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, many Afghans are taking matters into their own hands, with citizen militias on the rise across the country. While this may provide some hope for a large-scale collapse, many fear it could also lead to greater chaos and a multi-sided conflict with no central command against the Taliban.
