The Fall of Afghanistan: Was the Afghan Army Trained Insufficiently?

After the swift downfall of the Afghan government, the question reverberates: was the reason for this rapid collapse the poor training provided to the Afghan military? This article delves into the reasons behind the Afghan Army's performance, examining whether the quality of their training was indeed the critical factor in the outcome.

The Role of Taliban and Public Support

The Taliban's Commitment and Public Sentiment
Firstly, we must consider the true believers among the Taliban. Unlike the Afghan soldiers, their commitment to their cause was unwavering. This was exacerbated by the fact that many Afghan soldiers were not genuine supporters but were instead enlisted by foreign occupiers who provided them with pay. When the puppet masters left, these soldiers, including the President of Afghanistan, quickly sought to leave the country. The corruption and lack of public support for the Afghan government played a significant role in its downfall.

The Broader Context

Corruption and Lack of Public Support
The government in Kabul was widely seen as corrupt and unpopulous. Many soldiers in the Afghan Army were sympathetic to the Taliban due to the religious and cultural ties that ran deep within the population. The majority of the rural population was under Taliban rule, which further exacerbated the issue. The Taliban's popularity among the Afghan people was a direct result of the government's inability to win the support of the population. This is a reality that Western governments and their media have often tried to downplay.

Training and Courage

Training vs. Courage and Honor
Training alone cannot instill courage and honor. Despite the amount of training and gear provided, these elements are critical for military success. Without a willingness to fight and a sense of duty, even with the best training in the world, an army may struggle to hold its ground. This was a stark truth that the military had to face.

Insufficient Training and Motivation

Inadequate Pay and Motivation
A key factor in the Afghan Army's performance was the lack of regular pay. Soldiers were paid irregularly, often by their families, which made them more likely to leave the army to find other means to support their families. This motivation to join the Taliban was further amplified by the release of Taliban prisoners, both from Pakistani and Afghan prisons, following agreements like the one between Trump and the Taliban. These released prisoners gained popularity and control in the cities they took over.

Conclusion

Understanding the Broader Context
The swift collapse of the Afghan government was multifaceted. While the quality of training is undoubtedly a contributing factor, it was not the sole reason. The lack of public support, corruption, and the Taliban's deep-rooted popularity among the Afghan people were critical. It is time for the West to acknowledge that the Taliban could not be defeated because the people were fully supporting them. The blame for the fall should not rest solely on the effectiveness of military training but on a broader context of governance and public sentiment.

The Afghan people have been fighting for four decades, from American wars to Russian, Pakistani, and Indian wars. This cycle of conflict has left them weary. It is time for those who wish to understand the root causes to look beyond superficial answers and recognize the nuanced realities.

Keywords

Afghan Army, Taliban, Training Inefficiency, Military Performance, Afghan Fall