“The Trump administration committed, and the Biden administration gave, everything the Taliban needed [to return to power] without getting anything in return.”
The high-profile killing is a rude awakening call for the Taliban to reconsider their ties with al-Qaida – and could empower less hardline elements of the ruling group.
The biggest factor that led to the collapse of the Afghan military in August last year was the U.S. decision to withdraw forces and contractors from Afghanistan.