Reflections on 2012 from the Taliban

Over at Jihadology, FP contributor Aaron Y. Zelin posts a translation of the  Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s "Quick Glance at 2012 Jih?d? Achievements (Part 1)". They are in a boastful mood:  To sum up 2012 in one sentence it would be ‘The beginning of the invaders scamper’. Thirty thousand American troops fled from the heated battle ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.

Over at Jihadology, FP contributor Aaron Y. Zelin posts a translation of the  Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's "Quick Glance at 2012 Jih?d? Achievements (Part 1)". They are in a boastful mood: 

Over at Jihadology, FP contributor Aaron Y. Zelin posts a translation of the  Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s "Quick Glance at 2012 Jih?d? Achievements (Part 1)". They are in a boastful mood: 

To sum up 2012 in one sentence it would be ‘The beginning of the invaders scamper’. Thirty thousand American troops fled from the heated battle fields this year and on top of this, France brought its combat mission to an end and withdrew all its forces the same way they had come; Belgium began its retreat on 7th of August by withdrawing 230 troops; New Zealand followed suit and declared early withdrawal after attacks on its troops in Bamiyan and the Prime Minister of Britain also jumped on the retreat bandwagon be announcing early withdrawal of its troops from Helmand province during a visit to Afghanistan.

There’s also some historical perspective:

When America faced utter destruction in Vietnam, they came up with the formula ‘declare victory and run’ and want to utilize the formula of ‘transfer security and run’ here in Afghanistan

Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

More from Foreign Policy

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.