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Podcast: How the US underestimated the Taliban - and who's paying for it one year later
Listen: The anniversary of the end of America’s war in Afghanistan is a reminder of what many see as a staggering US defeat. It was also a victory for a long-time US adversary, the Taliban, who remain in control as the country faces a humanitarian crisis and a crumbling economy. Their brutal rule has also led to worsening conditions for women and girls in the country. Ian Bremmer speaks to former Marine and author Elliot Ackerman on the GZERO World podcast about his view of the war and his new book “The Fifth Act: America's End in Afghanistan.”
Ackerman believes the US military could have done a much better job at leaving the country, without leaving so many Afghan allies behind. The war, he explained, had come to define our military thinking and intelligence capability because the US was involved there for such a long time. And that long involvement clouded American judgment as it left. He also shares his thoughts on leaving no man behind honor code and whether an all-volunteer military is what America needs amid deeply dysfunctional domestic politics.
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Taliban regime has been “death in slow motion” for Afghan women
Fawzia Koofi was a member of Afghan Parliament from 2005 until last year, when the Taliban swept back to power.
On GZERO World, Koofi describes her experience working as one of the only female voices at the table during the negotiations with the Taliban.
In the room, they promised Koofi that women would play an active role in Afghan society. They even hinted at an inclusive government.
But after one year in power, the militant group has yet to make good on any of their promises.
Girls must now end their education by 6th grade. The last remaining female university students must learn separately from their male counterparts before women are fazed out of higher education all together. The Taliban has also broken up women's rights protests with gunfire.
Still, Koofi, who fled the country shortly after the takeover, says she remains hopeful that Afghanistan will one day have better leadership.