One year after the establishment of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, this policy paper analyses the consequences of the withdrawal of Western troops from the country in August 2021.
Year: 2022
Author: Asia Vellante, Security and Strategic Studies, Vesalius College
ISSN: 2736-5816
DOI: 10.53121/ELFPP18
Using secondary data from multiple sources, the paper testifies to the increase in terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and identifies the risks that they present to the Afghan population, neighbouring countries, the European Union, and the world at large. It focuses on the likelihood of a civil war and the risks arising from the spread of extremism, a new wave of migration to the EU, and global security threats from other terrorist groups inspired by the Taliban example. The paper addresses the root causes behind the increasing violence in the country and concludes with policy recommendations aimed at managing these risks.