Washington’s Warlord Myth and the Taliban’s Resurgence

On November 27, Afghan evacuee Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly shot two U.S. National Guard soldiers near the White House, resulting in the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and leaving Sgt. Andrew Wolfe critically injured. This incident sparked political backlash, with calls for stricter vetting of Afghan immigrants, echoing historical narratives of “dangerous Afghans” versus “worthy allies.” The author argues that the U.S. failed to recognize how its support for a narrow Afghan elite undermined legitimate resistance to the Taliban and fostered an ethnocratic regime. This critique highlights the complexities of Afghan politics, where the narrative of “warlords” served to marginalize non-Pashtun power structures, ultimately facilitating the Taliban’s resurgence.

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