KABUL (Dispatches) -- Five years after the humiliating withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, the legacy of two decades of occupation, unfulfilled Western commitments, and the urgent need for regional security cooperation remain as relevant as ever.
The August 2021 exit, which came after Washington spent 20 years and trillions of dollars trying to impose its preferred political structure on Kabul, ended in failure. 
The collapse of the U.S.-backed government and the chaotic evacuation—marked by the Kabul airport tragedy and a U.S. airstrike that killed an Afghan family, including several children—left a bitter image of Western interventionism.
Analysts now argue that the fifth anniversary offers critical lessons about the necessity of localizing security and strengthening regional convergence.
The U.S. launched its war in 2001 under the banner of fighting terrorism following the September 11 attacks. However, historical accounts have also pointed to Washington’s own Cold War-era policies, including support for armed groups in Afghanistan, which later contributed to the very security challenges the U.S. claimed to combat.
The occupation extended beyond military warfare. Numerous reports documented widespread violations of civilian rights, deadly operations, and conduct contrary to humanitarian standards. 
Yet, those responsible for these crimes were never held accountable—a failure that critics say sends a dangerous message that major powers can impose costs on nations and walk away without punishment.
Five years on, Western media narratives remain heavily focused on Taliban governance, women’s rights, and Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis. While these issues demand attention, analysts stress they cannot be separated from the legacy of foreign intervention and the economic devastation left behind.
The fundamental question remains: If human rights and justice are universal standards, why were those responsible for violations against the Afghan people never held to account?
From Afghanistan to Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, the pattern of impunity raises serious questions about the credibility of Western claims regarding freedom, justice, and human rights. The international community’s failure to apply law equally to all has undermined trust in global governance structures.
The U.S. withdrawal revealed a strategic truth: no foreign power can serve as a permanent guarantor of security. The abandonment of Ashraf Ghani’s government and the structural collapse of the U.S.-backed system demonstrated that dependence on external powers ultimately leads to political and economic subservience.
For lasting security, regional countries must strengthen indigenous capabilities and neighborly cooperation. Afghanistan’s neighbors, including Iran, have repeatedly stressed that Afghanistan’s security is inseparable from regional security—a vision rooted in mutual respect, shared interests, and cooperation rather than domination and dependence.
As Afghanistan’s rulers focus on national unity, inclusive governance, and meeting the social and economic demands of the people, regional convergence offers a viable path forward. The fifth anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal is not merely a reminder of an occupation’s end—it is a warning that regional security cannot be entrusted to outsiders.