How to Avert Disaster in Afghanistan

As a first step, the U.S. should station close air support assets in Afghanistan and make clear that America will provide air support to Afghan forces. By ending almost all U.S. air support, America has enabled the Taliban’s extraordinary gains and reduced the morale of Afghan partners who had already been bearing the brunt of the fight. Many Afghans were willing to fight and die—tens of thousands have made the ultimate sacrifice since 2001—on the assumption that support from the air was available when needed. The sudden end of that support demoralized many Afghan forces while encouraging the Taliban.

American air assets in Afghanistan should help Afghan forces defend Kabul and provincial capitals, as well as attack Taliban forces that target Afghan civilians or attempt to fire their newly captured artillery into population centers.

Some may cite the 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement as a reason not to take this step. But the Taliban never honored the agreement, continuing to work closely with al Qaeda and intensifying murderous attacks on Afghan civilians. Why should the U.S. adhere to an agreement that the other party has abrogated?

As a second step, the U.S. and its allies should ensure the Afghan Air Force has comprehensive contractor maintenance and logistics support based in Afghanistan. The Afghan Air Force provides Kabul a major advantage over an enemy whose principal tactic is murdering civilians. Afghan-provided close air support, air resupply and medical evacuation are possible only with well-maintained fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Third, the U.S. and partners should provide Afghan security forces with extensive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. The Taliban are trying to stretch the Afghan military by forcing them to defend everywhere. Giving Afghan leaders a heads up about Taliban activities can help the Afghans to concentrate force against the enemy.

Finally, Washington should stop advocating actions that strengthen the Taliban and weaken the Afghan government and security forces. For example, responding to pressure from Washington, the Afghan government released 5,000 prisoners in accordance with the 2020 agreement. Many of them belonged to al Qaeda.

Additional releases would give the Taliban and al Qaeda more manpower. It is important to remember that in 2011 released al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists helped establish Islamic State. After Islamic State gained control of territory the size of Britain, U.S. and allied forces deployed to Iraq and Syria to halt the humanitarian disaster, regain control of territory, and ensure the enduring defeat of what had become the most destructive terrorist organization in history.

These actions may be insufficient to arrest the Taliban’s brutal offensive. But without them, what’s likely to come is a collapse in Afghanistan that will embolden the enemies of all civilized peoples and compel a much more costly intervention later.