[Doku] Abrechnung mit Afghanistan [HD]

TLDR;

This documentary explores the reasons behind the war in Afghanistan, the involvement of international forces, and the consequences for the Afghan people. It examines the initial justification for the invasion following the 9/11 attacks, the roles of the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and the complexities of forming a new government. The film also investigates the surge in corruption, the resurgence of the Taliban, and the ultimate failure to achieve lasting peace and stability.

• The initial justification for the invasion was to retaliate against al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime.
• The alliance with warlords and the sidelining of Pashtuns led to ethnic tensions and instability.
• Corruption and the drug trade undermined efforts to rebuild the country.
• The resurgence of the Taliban and the cross-border safe havens in Pakistan prolonged the conflict.
• The shift in strategy under Obama, focusing on military force, failed to bring a resolution.

The Start of the War in Afghanistan [1:33]

Following the 9/11 attacks, the US sought retaliation against those responsible, focusing on Afghanistan, which was under the control of the Taliban, who were harbouring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. Despite attempts by the Taliban to negotiate and intelligence suggesting that not all Taliban members were aware or supportive of al-Qaeda's actions, the US government, driven by a desire for revenge, viewed the Taliban regime and al-Qaeda as a single entity. This led to the decision to target Afghanistan, with President George W. Bush declaring that the goal was not just one man or network, but an entire country.

International Support and the Role of Pakistan [7:00]

The US issued a warning to the world, demanding support in its fight against terror. Pakistan, a neighbouring country with a large Muslim population, faced immense pressure to align with the US. Despite initial public solidarity with Afghanistan, Pakistan's president chose to side with the US, fearing repercussions. The US swiftly gained international backing, with the UN Security Council authorising the military response. France, initially advocating for a measured response, shifted its stance to full support for the US, framing the intervention as a war against terror.

The Plight of Women Under the Taliban [10:35]

Western powers used the Taliban's unpopularity, particularly their treatment of women, to garner further support for the intervention. The Taliban were portrayed as symbols of oppression, with the burqa becoming a focal point of criticism. Despite the burqa being a long-standing tradition in Afghanistan, it was associated with the Taliban's fundamentalist regime. This narrative helped convince many in the West that the intervention was also aimed at liberating Afghan women.

The US Military Offensive and the Northern Alliance [12:35]

The US launched its offensive, "Enduring Freedom", on 7 October, 2001. Instead of deploying ground troops, the US supported the Northern Alliance, a group of Afghan fighters who had never recognised the Taliban's authority. The US provided weapons and funding to warlords within the Northern Alliance, enabling them to regain strength. This alliance allowed the US to quickly advance against the Taliban, who were forced to retreat from the north and centre of the country.

The Fall of Kabul and the Rise of Warlords [20:02]

By November 2001, key cities fell to the Northern Alliance, and the Taliban abandoned Kabul. However, this victory was marred by the execution of thousands of captured Taliban fighters by the warlords of the Northern Alliance. Kabul was left devastated, with much of the city destroyed and lawless. The US, having swiftly achieved its military objectives, lacked a clear plan for the aftermath, particularly regarding the governance of the country and the disarmament of the militias.

The Bonn Conference and the Formation of a New Government [22:27]

Faced with the lack of a post-Taliban plan, the US turned to the UN, leading to the Bonn Conference in Germany. The conference aimed to establish a broad-based government comprising various Afghan factions. Dominated by the Northern Alliance, the negotiations were fraught with ethnic tensions, particularly between the minority groups within the Alliance and the Pashtuns, who formed the majority of the population. A compromise was eventually reached, with the Northern Alliance securing key government positions and Hamid Karzai, a Pashtun, appointed as interim president.

The Rejection of Reconciliation and the Taliban's Resurgence [27:28]

Despite initial hopes for reconciliation, the US, under Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, rejected any peace agreement with the Taliban. This decision led to the Taliban retreating to the mountains and establishing a secret organisation, with Mullah Omar seeking refuge in Pakistan. The US shifted its focus to hunting down Taliban leaders, leading to the establishment of secret prisons like Bagram and Guantanamo Bay, further isolating the Taliban and hindering any chance of dialogue.

The Illusion of Victory and the Rise of Corruption [33:07]

In 2002, the US declared victory over the Taliban and presented Hamid Karzai as the face of a new, democratic Afghanistan. Millions of Afghan refugees returned, hopeful for a better future. However, the resurgence of warlords and the diversion of resources to the Iraq War led to widespread corruption. The warlords, now in positions of power, exploited their positions for personal gain, while international aid money was squandered on inflated contracts and administrative costs.

The Opium Trade and the Return of the Taliban [48:35]

The opium trade flourished, becoming a major source of corruption and instability. The international community's initial tolerance of the drug trade, due to its control by the warlords, backfired as Afghanistan became a major heroin producer and consumer. By late 2003, the Taliban began to resurface, capitalising on the corruption and disillusionment of the Afghan people.

The Cross-Border Conflict and the Escalation of Violence [51:56]

The Taliban found safe havens in the tribal regions of Pakistan, where they received support from local tribesmen. The porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan allowed them to regroup and rearm. Despite pressure from the US, Pakistan's efforts to combat the Taliban in these regions were limited, leading to accusations of playing a double game. By 2006, the Taliban launched a major offensive, and the security situation in Afghanistan deteriorated.

The Surge and the Shift in Strategy Under Obama [1:05:30]

In 2007, the US increased its troop presence in Afghanistan, and France also committed additional forces. However, the conflict continued to escalate, with increased casualties on both sides. In 2008, Barack Obama was elected president of the US, initially raising hopes for a negotiated solution. However, he ultimately sided with the Pentagon hawks, opting for a military surge and appointing General McChrystal as commander.

The Brutality of War and the Failure of Negotiation [1:08:36]

The US military presence in Afghanistan tripled, leading to a brutal war characterised by night raids, civilian casualties, and the detention and torture of suspected insurgents. The Obama administration's decision to prioritise military force over negotiation effectively ended any hope for a peaceful resolution. Despite the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011, the war continued, with the international community increasingly questioning its purpose and effectiveness.

The Impending Withdrawal and the Uncertain Future [1:18:35]

As the US and its allies announced plans to withdraw their troops by 2014, concerns grew about the ability of the Afghan army to maintain stability. The Afghan army lacked adequate equipment and air support, and the Taliban continued to gain strength. Many Afghans feared that the government would collapse and the country would descend into civil war. The documentary concludes with a pessimistic outlook, highlighting the lack of a clear path to peace and the potential for further instability in the region.