Afghanistan’s Anti-Corruption Efforts Under Scrutiny Amid Taliban Takeover
The rapid takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban has sparked concerns about corruption, with many experts pointing out that it was not only rampant but also fueled by the United States over many years.
Corruption as a Key Factor in Government Collapse
As the SIGAR (Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction) report highlighted in 2016, corruption played a significant role in the collapse of the Afghan government. The report revealed how American officials ignored corruption investigations and partnered with corrupt officials, allowing them to amass wealth at the expense of ordinary Afghans.
Notable Examples of Corruption
- A former Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s aide was caught soliciting a bribe but was eventually released and dropped from prosecution. The aide was secretly on the CIA payroll, according to The New York Times.
- Reports emerged that the CIA delivered “bags of cash” directly to the Afghan government, with much of it going to corrupt warlords and politicians.
Corruption in Department of Defense Contracts
The SIGAR report also found that at least 40 percent of Department of Defense contracts totaling tens of billions of dollars ended up in the hands of criminal syndicates and criminal officials.
Prioritization of Security Concerns Over Anti-Corruption Efforts
Despite acknowledging corruption as a threat to Afghan stability, the US prioritized security concerns over anti-corruption efforts. As SIGAR reported, “security and political goals consistently trumped strong anti-corruption actions.” The result was that billions of dollars in illicit funds left the country, flowing to money laundering hotspots like Dubai.
Local Perceptions and the Taliban’s Rise
Local Afghans began to notice the corruption, with one contact telling author Sarah Chayes that they assumed the US wanted corruption to continue. The Taliban capitalized on this reality, finding it easy to take control as armed opposition wilted in front of them.
Expert Warnings and Lessons Learned
Anti-corruption experts have long warned about the dangers of corruption in Afghanistan. Alexei Navalny, who is currently imprisoned in Russia, wrote from his cell that the West’s failure to address corruption was a crucial factor in the Taliban’s victory. Ryan Crocker, the former US ambassador to Afghanistan, said years ago that “the ultimate point of failure for our efforts… wasn’t an insurgency. It was the weight of endemic corruption.”
Urgent Need for Anti-Corruption Efforts
As Afghanistan descends into chaos, experts are urging the international community to learn from past mistakes and prioritize anti-corruption efforts in future interventions.