Afghanistan’s Great Escape: A Chaotic, Cellular Countdown
Imagine a city bustling with planes, but everyone’s frantically scrambling for the last seat. That’s exactly what Kabul’s airport looked like in early October, as the U.S. and its allies pulled a mass evacuation while the Taliban surged into the capital.
Mega‑Scale Evacuation
About five thousand people—diplomats, security teams, aid workers, and locals—made their way out on military flights. The official’s words? “It’s absolutely hectic and chaotic there.” The airport was surprisingly quieter after a brief pause when thousands of Afghans swarmed the airfield, but the frenzy didn’t end with the planes’ departure—thousands were keen to abandon a country that had seen two North American wars in its lifetime.
Taliban’s First‑Time‑for‑Login Message
The Taliban’s inaugural declaration promised “peace” and vowed no revenge against former enemies. They also insisted women would have rights within “Islamic law.” Just when the world thought the Taliban might bring a “soft approach,” the first citizen voice from Kabul revealed the reality: many Afghans desperately wanted to leave, not stay.
Power‑Play: Who’s Onward?
- United Arab Emirates: Welcomed President Ashraf Ghani for humanitarian reasons.
- UK: Flown out 1,000 people per day.
- Germany: Managed 130 people.
- France: Directly evacuated 25 nationals and 184 Afghan staff.
- Australia: First flight brought 26 passengers home.
The Return of the Taliban Elite
After years of exile, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of the Taliban’s founding fathers, flew back to Afghanistan. One official smiled: “No more shadows, just the whole crew showing up.” Meanwhile, a senior Haqqani Network member met former President Hamid Karzai, hinting at a new attempt to re‑start governance.
Street‑Chaos in the East
A quick stop over at Jalalabad grabbed a beat. Three people lost their lives in anti‑Taliban protests; more than a dozen were injured when mercenary gunfire blasted through the crowd as they tried to plant the national flag. You can picture the scene vividly, with a police officer’s squeaky whistle as the backdrop.
Taliban’s Soft‑Prettiness Test
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s main spokesperson, held a live‑brief after returning to Kabul. He said, “No internal or external enemies; we’re softer than the 1996‑2001 era.” Women will be allowed to work and study – “active in society but within Islam’s rules.” The same line that, decades ago, was a thinly veiled prohibition.
Western Heads of State’s Take‑away
BBC’s Boris Johnson said the Taliban will be judged on real actions, not words. He applauded the “Radical de‑repressions” promised by the Taliban, but said: “The regime’s substance has to be measured by its response to terrorism, crime, narcotics, and particularly girls’ access to education.” The UK will welcome up to 5,000 Afghans in the first year of their resettlement plan, prioritizing women, girls, and minorities.
About the People: Real Lives, Uncertain Futures
Ferishta Karimi vs. Yourself
Ferishta Karimi, a tailoring shop owner for women, lifted her voice in a town meeting: “My family lived under the Taliban. Maybe they look to change—or they won’t, it’s a question of time.” That’s exactly how many Afghans felt now: “Wait and see.”
Wrap‑Up: A Global Meeting That Wasn’t 2018
President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Johnson are set to convene a virtual G7 summit next week to discuss Afghanistan. Biden called it the right move to keep the withdrawal deal that Trump put in place. “People would fight endlessly or stick to the withdrawal deal – I had to pick the latter.” He saw Afghan leaders as partially to blame, as well as the army’s reluctance to fight. So what does that mean for the future? The best we can do is sit back, breathe, and hope that the Taliban translates their promises into day‑to‑day reality— instead of merely saying “We’re softer now.”
