Written by: Emal Noori
Aisha Wahab, an Afghan-American member of the U.S. House of Representatives, emphasized in her recent statements the need for diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan and simultaneously referred to the political and military groups that introduce themselves under the titles of resistance, freedom, and others as groups revolving around failed and personal interests. Her statements have faced harsh reactions from some opponents, but the main point of discussion is not just Aisha Wahab’s remarks, but the reality that has emerged in the past five years regarding Afghanistan’s political situation, international relations, and opposing factions.
After the fall of the Republic in 2021, the opposing groups of the current Afghan government thought that the international community would strengthen other movements against the current government within a short period and provide political and military support for a change in the regime. But over time, this hope remained just a hope and dwindled day by day. Because the differences between opposing factions, competition for leadership, disputes over financial resources, and the lack of a unified agenda have further weakened their political influence. The formation of various fronts, divisions, occasional splits, and their conflicting stances reached the extent of espionage and assassination plans against each other.
On the other hand, international powers have also adjusted their policies regarding Afghanistan based on realities rather than emotions. Although the West has not yet officially recognized the current government of Afghanistan, it has left the doors open for interaction, negotiations, and diplomatic relations in practice. Security, scientific, economic, humanitarian, and regional needs necessitate direct or indirect contact with the ruling regime. Due to these realities, considering the status and nature of Afghanistan’s opposing groups in international political meetings and circles, the path of diplomacy and engagement with the current ruling system is preferred.
Aisha Wahab’s statements are also subject to analysis within this framework. She criticized the corruption, personal interests, foreign agendas, biases, and failed experiments of the former political figures and shameless warlords, stating that Afghanistan’s problems are not just a product of today, but also significantly influenced by the wrong policies and corruptions of the warlords and former rulers. This assessment and demand is not just the personal opinion of a politician; it reflects the growing perception in international circles regarding Afghanistan’s opposing factions.
In the past five years, neither the Afghan people stood behind these factions, nor did regional countries or Western powers accept them as an effective alternative. Because these are the people whom the occupiers brought to power by force during the Republic era. They are better known to the West than to the Afghan people. In Pashto, there is a saying: “If someone was raised in your stable, there is no need to check their teeth.” These foolish, shameless warlords, through a few staged meetings where they sit with their puppets, want to appear enlightened and reformed to the West through online presence and media activities. But the West has known them for a long time.
When the need for diplomacy with the Afghan government and the failure of opposing groups are mentioned in international discussions, strong reactions from these shameless warlords are also provoked; because these statements reflect a reality that becomes increasingly clear over time. In general, the current international perspective on the Afghan issue largely revolves around interaction, realism, and diplomacy, rather than supporting the political and military factions that still face challenges of legitimacy and effectiveness under the shadow of past experiences.
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