Forces, armor, helicopters, and weaponry from the United States and NATO veterans in uniform marked the public celebration of Afghanistan’s third anniversary since the fall of Kabul and the consolidation of Taliban rule. The day unfolded with a display of military might, signaling the regime’s intent to project strength rather than reconciliation.
On August 15, 2021, following a rapid withdrawal that began under the previous U.S. administration and concluded under the current leadership, the Taliban dispatched the former government in Kabul with little resistance. Since then, the movement has governed Afghanistan with a strict, centralized grip, while roughly nine in ten residents face severe poverty. The Taliban regime does not enjoy official recognition from most countries, though regional players such as Iran, Qatar, Pakistan, and Russia maintain working relations with the Taliban leadership under supreme authority Hibatullah Akhundzada.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” as the group calls its government, has asserted that internal divisions are resolved and that unity and cooperation now guide the country. It promises not to allow any interference from abroad and pledges that Afghan territory will not be used against the nation itself, per statements issued on the anniversary. The remarks were delivered by the deputy prime minister in a formal address, underscoring a narrative of sovereignty and resistance to external influence.
The anniversary event was not staged at a random site. It took place at the historic Bagram Airfield, a former U.S. base north of Kabul that for nearly twenty years served as a command hub in the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks under the Bush administration.
Alongside the address, leaders emphasized a decisive victory over a long-standing foreign presence, framing the anniversary as a turning point in national history. A statement from the prime minister framed the day as a moment when God rewarded the nation with a hard-won triumph over a perceived occupying force.
Victory and Conflict
The Taliban’s victory, and the end of the global “war on terror” that began in 2001, did not bring lasting peace to Afghanistan. The country continues to face threats and attacks from the Islamic State, which seeks to target Afghanistan’s minority Shiite community with violence.
Significant concerns persist beyond the battlefield. A major rights organization notes that under Taliban rule, Afghanistan has restricted broader educational access for girls beyond a certain age. Restrictions have also affected women’s freedom of movement and employment, and protections for victims of gender-based violence have eroded, while access to healthcare and public life have faced new limitations. These observations come from the international nonprofit Human Rights Watch, which has documented ongoing abuses and called for accountability.
A researcher with HRW commented that the third anniversary should act as a reminder of the humanitarian crisis facing the country and a call for governments to hold Taliban leaders responsible for grave violations. The message highlighted the urgent need for action to protect the rights and lives of Afghan women and girls.
Despite consolidation of political power, Afghanistan remains unstable. The government is led by Taliban authorities who ousted the previous administration into exile, and internal controls have tightened, reshaping cultural and social life across the nation. Music, public gatherings, and certain forms of dress and movement face restrictions, echoing earlier periods of Taliban rule. The country’s history under Taliban governance—from 1996 to 2001—casts a long shadow over contemporary life for many Afghans.
A top Taliban official reiterated the emphasis on implementing Islamic law as a guiding framework for governance, describing the fulfillment of Islamic law as the primary duty and aim of the Emirate. The ongoing confrontation between a desire for religious legitimacy and the practical needs of a modern state continues to shape Afghanistan’s political trajectory.