For the duration of the war in Afghanistan, U.S. forces were aided by Afghan nationals, from translators, to drivers, to guides and embassy staff and more. With the withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan nearly complete, the brutal and reactionary Taliban is recapturing territory and with it, people who they've marked for punishment or elimination for cooperating with the U.S. or diverging from their harsh teachings.
The U.S. has acknowledged the special debt we owe to these Afghan nationals, and is working on a plan for expedited visas for them and their families. In addition, at least 2,000 women, ranging from legislators and local officials to school teachers, doctors, journalists, and engineers are seeking to escape the Taliban's vengeance. Hours ago, President Biden addressed the anticipated human rights crisis looming as our forces draw down, but it all seems to be unfolding at a maddening pace while the Taliban's forces press forward relentlessly. To it's credit, Canada is planning to take in hundreds of Afghan nationals who supported allied operations, and the Biden Administration is also in talks with three Central Asian nations to temporarily take in threatened Afghans. Our major allies -- the UK, Germany, and France for starters -- who fought with us need to expedite their processes of rescuing Afghan nationals who served with them.
After nearly 20 years of war and sacrifice on their part and ours, it would be shameful if we failed to get vulnerable Afghans out before the Taliban bloodletting begins.
(photo: The deserted Bagram Airbase. Rahmat Gul / Associated Press)
