US Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Latest Development and Security Situation (2020)

Dr. Muhammad Tariq; Dr. Muhammad Rizwan; Dr. Manzoor Ahmad

doi:10.36902/sjesr-vol3-iss2-2020(290-297)

Dr. Muhammad Tariq PhD (Political Science), Education Department Mardan
Dr. Muhammad Rizwan Chairman, Department of Pakistan Studies Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Abbottabad
Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Chairman, Department of Political Science, AWKUM

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36902/sjesr-vol3-iss2-2020(290-297)

Keywords: US, Taliban, Afghanistan, Bargain, Peace

Abstract

This paper discusses the US engagement in Afghanistan with particular reference to their withdrawal within a specified period of fourteen months. An agreement has been reached between the US and Taliban on February 29, 2020, at Doha (Qatar) followed by the intra-Afghan talks, which is expected to bring lasting peace and stability in the country. The issues of deadlock between the Afghan government and the Taliban and the pandemic COVID-19 are some of the obstacles in the way of peace. The theory of bargain provides a theoretical framework for the paper. The paper focuses on the post-withdrawal scenario of the US troops and ground realities that will help in prognosticating the future of Afghanistan. Keeping in view the post-US-Taliban agreement, it is difficult to say with certainty that peace and stability may shape the future destiny of the country since more than 1,300 casualties have happened in Afghanistan during the last three months despite the singing of the agreement.