Taliban’s limited earthquake response highlights group’s isolation
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As the world watched with trepidation, Afghanistan was last weekend struck by a devastating earthquake, leaving its people in dire need of assistance and relief. The catastrophic event has once again brought to the fore the challenges faced by the Taliban regime, particularly its global isolation, which severely limits its ability to respond effectively to such disasters. While humanitarian aid is desperately needed, it is essential to recognize that the Taliban are likely to leverage this crisis as a means to urge the release of billions of dollars frozen by Western nations.
The earthquake, which hit Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, offered a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters. With crumbling infrastructure, inadequate emergency response capabilities and a population already grappling with the harsh realities of life under Taliban rule, the earthquake has added yet another layer of suffering. In this time of dire need, the Taliban face an international community wary of extending support, given the group’s checkered past and uncertain future.
One of the primary reasons for the Taliban’s limited capacity to respond to the earthquake’s aftermath is their pariah status on the global stage. After their swift takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Western nations froze billions of dollars in Afghan assets held abroad. This move was not only meant to pressure the Taliban into adhering to international norms, but also to prevent the group from accessing resources that could potentially be used for illicit purposes, such as funding terrorism.
Now, with the earthquake wreaking havoc, the Taliban find themselves in a catch-22 situation. They desperately need foreign aid and resources to alleviate the suffering of the people, but their global isolation severely impedes their ability to access the frozen assets and secure assistance. The world remains hesitant to provide unfettered support to a regime known for its human rights abuses, suppression of women’s rights and connections to terrorism.
In this time of dire need, the Taliban face an international community wary of extending support
Azeem Ibrahim
The Taliban are well aware of their predicament and it is highly likely they will attempt to leverage the earthquake crisis to their advantage. One of the tactics they may employ is using the dire humanitarian situation as a bargaining chip to push for the release of frozen Afghan assets. The argument they are likely to make is that, by releasing these funds, the international community can help alleviate the suffering of ordinary Afghan citizens who had no say in the Taliban’s rise to power.
Such a move, however, poses significant ethical and strategic dilemmas for Western governments. Releasing the frozen assets without adequate guarantees that the funds will be used solely for humanitarian purposes could inadvertently empower the Taliban and free up resources for activities that run counter to international security interests. Additionally, it may set a dangerous precedent of negotiating with a group that has not demonstrated a commitment to upholding basic human rights and democratic principles.
To navigate this complex situation, the international community must adopt a nuanced approach. First and foremost, Western governments and humanitarian organizations should prioritize delivering immediate aid to the earthquake-affected areas in Afghanistan. Lives are at stake and providing basic necessities such as food, clean water, shelter and medical assistance is a moral imperative that should transcend political considerations.
However, any release of frozen assets should be conditional and closely monitored. The Taliban must demonstrate a commitment to transparently using the funds for humanitarian purposes and there should be mechanisms in place to ensure accountability. Moreover, Western nations should insist on concrete steps toward respecting human rights, including the protection of women and minority rights, as part of any negotiations.
While the earthquake crisis highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid, it also underscores the broader issue of Afghanistan’s isolation on the global stage. The international community must recognize that a long-term solution to the country’s woes cannot be achieved solely through financial assistance. The root causes of Afghanistan’s instability, including governance issues, extremism and regional tensions, must be addressed comprehensively.
Providing basic necessities such as food, clean water, shelter and medical assistance is a moral imperative
Azeem Ibrahim
Efforts to engage with the Taliban should be guided by a clear and coordinated strategy that involves regional powers, neighboring countries and international organizations. Diplomatic channels should be used to push for a more inclusive government that represents the diversity of Afghan society and to encourage the Taliban to adopt a more moderate and cooperative stance.
Ultimately, the earthquake in Afghanistan serves as a grim reminder of the precarious situation facing the Afghan people under Taliban rule. It also highlights the limitations imposed on the Taliban by their global isolation. As the international community grapples with how to respond to this crisis, it must strike a delicate balance between providing much-needed humanitarian aid and ensuring that the release of frozen assets does not inadvertently strengthen the Taliban’s grip on power or undermine fundamental human rights.
In the coming days and weeks, the world will be closely watching how the Taliban handle this crisis and whether they use it as an opportunity to engage constructively with the international community. The Afghan people deserve immediate relief from their suffering, but any steps taken in response to the earthquake must be grounded in a strategic, principled approach that prioritizes both humanitarian concerns and long-term stability in Afghanistan.
• Dr. Azeem Ibrahim is director of special initiatives at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy in Washington, D.C., and the author of “The Rohingyas: Inside Myanmar’s Genocide” (Hurst, 2017). X: @AzeemIbrahim
