A quarter century later, the legacy of the US-led invasion of Afghanistan endures

Twenty-five years ago, the United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. The goal was to destroy al-Qaida, the terrorist group behind the September 11 attacks, and remove the Taliban government that protected them. The invasion started a 20-year war that cost tens of thousands of Afghan lives and billions of dollars. It also changed the lives of millions of ordinary Afghans in ways that are still being felt today.

Dr. Nigar Nangrahari was working a night shift at a Kabul hospital when the invasion began. Walking home the next morning, she saw crowds attacking Taliban members in the streets. Some Taliban fighters had climbed trees to hide. It was a frightening and unforgettable scene for the young doctor.

Before the U.S. invasion, the Taliban had ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 with very harsh laws. Women could not go to school, hold jobs, or leave home without a male relative. People accused of crimes faced brutal public punishments. When the Taliban lost power in 2001, many Afghans felt both relieved and uncertain about the future.

After the invasion, Nangrahari returned to her job as a doctor and no longer had to wear a burqa in public. But she felt the freedom the U.S. brought did not always fit Afghan culture and society. 'They granted us freedom — but not the kind that Afghans could truly benefit from,' she said. She believed Afghans needed a moderate balance — not the Taliban's harsh rules, but also not a lifestyle that ignored their values.

The war lasted about 20 years and came at a terrible cost to both Afghans and coalition forces. While the U.S. presence did bring some gains, like more press freedom and better education for girls, widespread corruption and harsh military tactics made many Afghans angry. Muin Gul Chamkanai, a former doctor turned humanitarian leader, said the results were the opposite of what was promised. 'Their stated goals were to bring good governance to Afghanistan and to combat narcotics and terrorism,' he said. 'The reality turned out to be the exact opposite.'

In August 2021, U.S. forces left Afghanistan in a rushed and chaotic withdrawal. Within days, the Taliban swept back into power across the whole country. Now, five years later, the Taliban firmly control Afghanistan. They have brought back many strict rules, especially ones that limit the rights of women and girls.

Security has improved since the Taliban took over — the deadly bombings that marked the war years have largely stopped. But women now face severe restrictions on where they can go, what they can wear, and what work they can do. High schools and universities for girls have been shut down, crushing the hopes of a whole generation. For women who grew up with more freedom under U.S.-backed governments, the change has been devastating.

Tahmina Mangal, a 33-year-old woman in Kabul, had planned to continue her studies but saw those hopes disappear when schools for girls closed. Now she runs a shop selling traditional Afghan clothing — one of the very few choices still available to women. 'The burden is immense. It weighs heavily on my own spirits and psyche,' she said. It was the only path she could find to earn a living.

Tahmina worries that without educated women, Afghanistan's future is in serious danger. She said that if girls cannot become doctors, teachers, or educated mothers, all of Afghan society will suffer. 'If this situation persists, Afghanistan's future is perilous,' she said. She urged women to keep studying, even online, and never give up hope.

Dr. Nangrahari agreed that blocking girls from higher education sets Afghanistan back by decades. Although the Taliban have improved roads and built new buildings, she said that progress means nothing without knowledge. 'A society lacking education is zero,' she said. With Afghanistan already among the world's poorest countries, denying education to half its people only deepens its struggles.

Still, Tahmina holds on to hope for a better future. She believes that no government stays in power forever and that things will eventually change. 'Governments inevitably come and go, collapses happen, and no government lasts forever,' she said. She tells women and girls to keep learning, seek training, and always look forward with hope.