After the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, many investors fled the country, fearing retaliation from the group. Small investors and the urban middle class, who had previously created job opportunities, also left, resulting in widespread unemployment. International organizations have declared that Afghanistan is facing a severe humanitarian and economic crisis.
In response, the United States has sent substantial financial aid, with the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) recently reporting that the U.S. has provided $21 billion in aid over the past three years.
Meanwhile, last week, the Taliban’s Minister of Economy accused the world of waging an “economic war” against the group during an event in Kandahar. Afghan citizens claim that many Taliban officials have married multiple times and acquired luxury residences over the past three years. They argue that the group is attempting to mask its management failures by creating external enemies.
Economic experts also assert that global economic sanctions are minimal and that Afghanistan’s economic issues are largely due to the Taliban’s misguided policies. Din Mohammad Hanif, the acting Minister of Economy for the Taliban, stated at the reopening ceremony of the Kandahar textile factory that the world has initiated an “economic war against Afghanistan.” He claimed that the international community, by imposing restrictions on Afghanistan’s economic sector, is attempting to weaken the .