How did the Afghan Army lose to the Taliban?

A sophisticated Taliban campaign aimed at securing surrender deals lay at the heart of the Afghan military’s collapse, but layers of corruption, waste and logistical failures left the country’s security forces so underequipped and with such battered morale that it enabled the militants’ success.

Why did the Soviets withdraw from Afghanistan?

In the USSR, the Red Army’s failure to suppress the guerrillas, and the high cost of the war in Russian lives and resources, caused significant discord in the Communist Party and Soviet society. In April 1988, after years of stalemate, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed a peace accord with Afghanistan.

Has Afghanistan been successfully invaded?

In the case of Afghanistan, it was never truly conquered. It may have been invaded, but even suggesting that it was “occupied” would be a stretch as the remoteness of the land made it hard for an outsider to control.

Why did NATO invade Afghanistan?

NATO Allies went into Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, to ensure that the country does not again become a safe haven for international terrorists to attack the homelands of NATO member countries.

How did Afghanistan’s military collapse so quickly?

How Did It Collapse So Quickly? The Taliban’s rapid advance has made clear that U.S. efforts to turn Afghanistan’s military into a robust, independent fighting force have failed, with its soldiers feeling abandoned by inept leaders. An Afghan police special forces soldier at a frontline position in Kandahar this month.

Why are Afghan forces surrendering so fast?

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The surrenders seem to be happening as fast as the Taliban can travel. In the past several days, the Afghan security forces have collapsed in more than 15 cities under the pressure of a Taliban advance that began in May.

How did the US transform the Afghan National Army?

At the outset, the US began transforming the Afghan National Army from a light-infantry force to a combined-arms service with army, air force, and special forces element.

Is the US military overoptimistic about Afghanistan’s military capability?

Taliban fighters. The US aid spending watchdog found the US military to be persistently overoptimistic about the Afghan military capability. Photograph: Ghaith Abdul-Ahad Taliban fighters. The US aid spending watchdog found the US military to be persistently overoptimistic about the Afghan military capability. Photograph: Ghaith Abdul-Ahad