On October 7, 2021, the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, ending a twenty‑year U.S. presence that began after the September 11 attacks. Twenty‑five years later, Afghans are reflecting on the legacy of that intervention and the stark reality they now face.
Personal memories of the invasion
Dr. Nigar Nangrahari, a 58‑year‑old obstetrician‑gynecologist, recalls the night of the invasion in 2001. While working a night shift in a Kabul hospital, she walked home the next morning and saw residents taking revenge on Taliban fighters, some hiding in trees. “I saw ordinary people capturing and killing Taliban members,” she said.
Afraid of further violence, Nangrahari and her family stayed indoors for about a month before she returned to the hospital. The new environment meant she no longer had to wear a burqa on the street, a small but tangible sign of change.
Mixed legacy of the U.S. presence
Supporters of the U.S. effort point to increased media freedom and expanded opportunities for women’s education and employment during the two‑decade span. However, many Afghans note that pervasive corruption and heavy‑handed military tactics bred deep resentment.
“Their stated goals were to bring good governance and combat narcotics and terrorism,” said Muin Gul Chamkanai, a former doctor now heading the Shkula Charitable Foundation. “The reality turned out to be the exact opposite.” Chamkanai recalled switching on his television on October 7, 2001, and feeling enraged by the invasion, saying he would have preferred martyrdom over being bombed.
Taliban rule returns with new restrictions
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, security has improved in the sense that large‑scale bombings have largely ceased. Yet the regime has reinstated many draconian restrictions, especially on women and girls. Deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat framed the Taliban’s takeover as a liberation from foreign occupation, but the same day he described the 2001 invasion as a “dark day” that caused massive loss of life and displacement.
Women now face bans on higher education, limits on dress, and severe constraints on employment. Tahmina Mangal, a 33‑year‑old entrepreneur who runs a traditional clothing store, said her hopes of continuing her studies were shattered when schools for girls were closed. “If this situation persists, Afghanistan’s future is perilous,” she warned, emphasizing the need for educated mothers to raise healthy children.
Infrastructure gains amid educational setbacks
Some Taliban officials point to improvements in roads and high‑rise construction as signs of progress. Nangrahari acknowledges the infrastructure work but stresses that without education, “a society is zero.” She noted that while the Ministry of Commerce does issue business licenses to women, the ban on higher education for girls sets the country back by a century.
Despite the hardships, many Afghan women remain hopeful. “Governments inevitably come and go, collapses happen, and no government lasts forever,” said Mangal. She urges women to pursue studies online and maintain faith in a better future.
Looking ahead
The 25th anniversary serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the ongoing struggle for basic freedoms. As Afghanistan grapples with poverty, limited education, and a restrictive regime, the voices of doctors, entrepreneurs, and ordinary citizens highlight both the lingering scars of the past and the resilient hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
