Withdrawal and Uncertainty in Afghanistan

This chapter analyzes the rapid withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan and the impending September 11th deadline, drawing unsettling comparisons to the Soviet exit in the 1980s. It highlights the Taliban's growing territorial control, the fears of the Afghan population, and the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding alongside security deterioration. The narrative emphasizes the increasing panic in both Afghanistan and Washington, as the potential for a civil war looms and the need for negotiation amid rising tensions becomes ever more crucial.