The recent arrest of an Afghan man in Toulouse, France, underscores the lasting repercussions of the United States' 20-year military occupation of Afghanistan. The individual, identified as the brother of another suspect planning an attack on the U.S. presidential election day, was reportedly plotting assaults on public venues like shopping centers or football stadiums. French authorities, aided by information from U.S. officials who had been interrogating Nasir Ahmad Tawhidi—a 27-year-old Afghan refugee arrested for planning a terror attack in the U.S.—took action to thwart potential violence.
The connection between these planned attacks and the prolonged U.S. presence in Afghanistan is poignant. The occupation, which began as an anti-terrorism campaign, has left a legacy of resentment and hatred towards American citizens, who have no direct role in the military or political decisions affecting Afghanistan. This deep-seated animosity has manifested in various forms, including the radicalization of individuals like Tawhidi, who was previously employed as a security guard with the CIA in Afghanistan and later found active in pro-ISIS groups.
These incidents highlight the complex and often unintended consequences of foreign military interventions. While intended to secure regions and suppress extremist threats, long-term occupation can foster a cycle of resentment and retaliation that transcends borders, affecting global security and perceptions of the U.S. worldwide.
