The Abandoned Allies: How U.S. Policy is Squandering a Strategic Asset and Eroding Global Trust
The images remain stark: Afghan special operations forces, the last line of defense against the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, holding cities like Mazar-i-Sharif with dwindling supplies – surviving for 45 days on little more than rice while others fled. But the battle these elite fighters, and the interpreters who served alongside them, now face is far more insidious. It’s a fight against bureaucratic inertia, shifting political winds, and a growing perception that the United States’ commitments are, at best, temporary. The dismantling of support structures for these allies isn’t just a moral failing; it’s a strategic blunder with far-reaching consequences.
A Cascade of Broken Promises
Since January 2021, a series of executive orders and administrative actions have systematically dismantled the pathways to safety for Afghan allies. Executive Order 14161, while offering limited exemptions, effectively barred many elite Afghan forces from entering the U.S. The suspension of refugee processing and foreign aid further compounded the crisis, halting family reunification and crippling resettlement efforts. Most recently, the elimination of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) office on July 10th – an office with bipartisan support and a proven track record of vetting over 40,000 individuals – signaled a decisive turning point. These aren’t simply administrative adjustments; they represent a deliberate severing of lifelines.
The Paradox of Vetting and Abandonment
The irony is particularly galling. Afghan partners are arguably the most thoroughly vetted immigrant population in U.S. history. Data reveals that Operation Allies Welcome evacuees have an incarceration rate 11.6 times lower than American-born citizens, with only 0.01% convicted of criminal offenses as of March 2023. Yet, they are being treated with increasing suspicion and subjected to ever-tightening restrictions. As one Afghan special operations veteran wryly observed during an interview with the Corioli Institute, “You guys gave me the weapon and taught me how to fight!” – a testament to their loyalty and the trust once placed in their capabilities.
The Security Risk: A Roadmap for Persecution
The situation on the ground in Afghanistan remains dire. Despite claims of improved security, the U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. The Taliban, with its interior minister still on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, is actively targeting former U.S. allies, operating with a chillingly detailed roadmap: the U.S.-funded Afghan Personnel and Pay System, containing biometric data on over 300,000 Afghan security force members. This database, intended for administrative purposes, has become a tool for persecution, extending the threat to families as well. Stories emerging from Afghanistan are harrowing – mothers forced to relocate repeatedly to evade Taliban raids, commandos facing brutal violence, and women from the Female Tactical Platoons living in constant fear.
The Plight of Families and the Perilous Journey
Even those who have escaped Afghanistan face immense hardship. Family reunification petitions, already backlogged before recent policy changes, are now nearly impossible to process with the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Eligible families are forced to travel to third-country processing posts, a journey made increasingly dangerous by the mass expulsion of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran – including an estimated 25,000 individuals with approved Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). This creates a desperate situation where soldiers are separated from their families for years, witnessing their loved ones’ struggles from afar.
A Self-Inflicted Wound to U.S. National Security
The treatment of Afghan allies isn’t just a humanitarian crisis; it’s a strategic misstep. The U.S. is facing a growing military recruitment challenge, and these battle-tested professionals represent a valuable potential asset. A significant 57% of Afghan veterans interviewed expressed a desire to continue serving in the U.S. military. Historical precedent, such as the 1950 Lodge Act, demonstrates a pathway for integrating foreign nationals with valuable skills into the U.S. armed forces. By turning our backs on these individuals, we are potentially handing a strategic advantage to adversaries eager to recruit U.S.-trained fighters. The U.S. is engaged in a global competition for talent, and alienating a proven, loyal force is a costly mistake.
The Credibility Test: Beyond Afghanistan
Perhaps the most significant consequence of this policy shift is the damage to U.S. credibility on the world stage. Chinese and Russian propaganda have already seized on the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the abandonment of allies as evidence of American unreliability. Every stalled visa case, every bureaucratic hurdle, adds fuel to this narrative. The message sent to potential partners in Syria, Taiwan, and beyond is clear: aligning with the United States carries a significant risk. The U.S. Institute of Peace highlights the long-term implications of this erosion of trust.
Reversing course requires immediate action. Reinstating CARE, restoring suspended programs, clearing application backlogs, and passing the Afghan Adjustment Act are essential first steps. But more fundamentally, it requires a shift in mindset – a recognition that supporting our allies isn’t simply a matter of moral obligation, but a vital investment in U.S. national security and global leadership. The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of fulfilling our promises.
What steps can be taken to rebuild trust with potential partners in light of the current situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
