The other side of 9/11: Afghans reckon with America's long shadow

• • The U.S. led invasion of Afghanistan following 9/11 resulted in twenty years of conflict.


• • The Taliban reclaimed power in August 2021 and remains largely unrecognized internationally.


• • Afghans face economic hardship and increased restrictions on women and media under current rule.

Context
The 2001 invasion was a response to the 9/11 attacks. The subsequent failure to establish a stable republic led to the return of the Taliban.

Christian Perspective
The chaos in Afghanistan demonstrates the futility of attempting to impose foreign secular values on a deeply religious and traditional society. True peace cannot be achieved through nation building or the export of liberal social ideologies. God ordains order and recognizes the distinct cultural and religious identities of different peoples.

Implications
The instability in Afghanistan highlights the dangers of globalist foreign interventions that drain American resources. For Christian Americans, this serves as a reminder to prioritize the security and sovereignty of the nation over foreign social engineering. We must focus on protecting our own borders and traditional family structures rather than managing foreign crises.

Broader Trends
This situation reflects the failure of the liberal internationalist order to create lasting stability through interventionism. It also underscores the tension between Western secularism and traditionalist religious governance. The shift toward isolationism aligns with a growing desire to protect the American people from endless foreign entanglements.

Takeaway
America First policies must prioritize national sovereignty and the preservation of our own heritage. We should avoid costly foreign adventures that fail to respect the natural order of different nations. Focus resources on strengthening the American family and securing our own borders.