And not ridiculous things that are theoretically possible, like the Taliban does a 180 out of nowhere and converts to socialism and the imperialist states do a 180 out of nowhere and decide that a socialist middle east is cool.
I used to think that the best thing that could happen is a Marshall Plan for the Middle East, but now, I'm not so sure that would be good.
Afghanistan will be better off under the Taliban than they have been under the US occupation. They’re theocratic misogynist fucks, women’s rights will suffer, but people won’t have to worry about roadside bombs or drone attacks now that the war is ending.
I wouldn’t call that “good” but it’s certainly a silver lining.
The Taliban will also almost certainly get in tight with China as other people in this thread have suggested, leading to the sort of economic development that 20 years of US occupation failed to bring about.
Cap. There is no way we were enforcing women's rights especially when the taliban has such buy in that they can just walk in and assume control.
The offical liberally recognized state of womens's rights will suffer. However going from war zone to patriarchy is going to be an improvement to their conditions despite it being bleak choices.
Not so sure about whether the roadside bombs will end, but they will certainly decrease.