The US military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 marked a significant moment in the country’s long, often painful, engagement in the region. Yet, as President Donald Trump confirmed, billions of dollars’ worth of US military equipment were left behind, an oversight that now threatens regional stability. A staggering $7.12 billion worth of military assets, including aircraft, 40,000 vehicles, and 300,000 weapons, has transformed Afghanistan’s vast, ungoverned spaces into a substantial arms depot. The abandonment of these resources has contributed to Afghanistan’s instability and has had far-reaching consequences for its neighbors, particularly Pakistan.
The Militarization of Afghanistan: A New Hub for Regional Security Concerns
Afghanistan’s ungoverned territories, once familiar homes to groups like the Taliban and al-Qaeda, now find themselves stocked with high-tech US military gear, vastly enhancing the capabilities of various militant factions. These groups, including the Afghan Interim Government (IAG) and others, have inherited an arsenal that ranges from small arms to advanced military-grade equipment, such as helicopters and armored vehicles. This military hardware has not only solidified the IAG’s position but also emboldened groups like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), and others with regional ambitions.
The scale of this arms build-up poses a grave concern not only for Afghanistan but also for global security. Armed with US military technology, the IAG and their affiliates are better equipped to carry out attacks both within Afghanistan and across its borders. This has led to an alarming surge in cross-border militant activities, particularly targeting Pakistan. The security situation in Pakistan, a neighbor with shared borders, has become increasingly fragile as terrorist organizations take advantage of the weaponry left behind.
Pakistan: Bearing the Brunt of Regional Instability
Pakistan finds itself as one of the most direct victims of Afghanistan’s militarization. The unchecked flow of weapons into Afghanistan has significantly complicated Pakistan’s own security challenges. For years, Pakistan has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, with its military forces continuously battling militants in the tribal areas and other volatile regions. However, the presence of a growing arsenal of military equipment in Afghanistan has compounded these challenges.
Pakistan’s border regions, particularly in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Balochistan, have seen increased volatility due to the influence of Afghan-based militant groups. The TTP and other factions have utilized the weapons left behind by the US to conduct frequent attacks on Pakistani soil, further undermining regional security. The growing availability of sophisticated weaponry has escalated terrorist activity, placing enormous pressure on Pakistan’s already overstretched military and intelligence resources.
This security strain comes at a considerable economic cost. Pakistan has been compelled to divert resources that would have otherwise supported economic development and poverty alleviation programs toward bolstering border security. This shift not only stretches Pakistan’s defense capabilities but also hampers its broader development goals, exacerbating the socio-economic challenges it faces.
The Role of Foreign Actors
While the weapons left behind by the US clearly empower militant groups within Afghanistan, foreign actors with strategic interests in the region may also play a role in complicating the situation. Countries like India and Iran, which have longstanding political and strategic interests in Afghanistan, have reportedly facilitated the rehabilitation of these US weapons, either directly or indirectly, enabling armed groups to gain access to advanced military technology.
India, while seeking to maintain its influence in Afghanistan and counterbalance Pakistan’s role, faces the delicate task of ensuring that its actions do not inadvertently empower groups that may later pose a security threat to the region. Similarly, Iran, with its concerns about the rise of Sunni extremist groups like ISIS, has historically engaged with certain factions within Afghanistan, including the Taliban. However, this strategy also carries risks, as these factions now have access to more sophisticated weaponry, complicating regional dynamics.
These international actors, by seeking to strengthen their positions in Afghanistan, risk exacerbating the very militancy they wish to contain, thus complicating peace efforts and contributing to an ever-growing arms race in the region.
The International Community’s Response
The international community has been slow to act in addressing the consequences of the US withdrawal and the abandonment of vast quantities of military equipment in Afghanistan. Despite widespread recognition of the scale of the problem, few concrete steps have been taken to secure or neutralize these weapons. The failure to adequately manage this issue has allowed Afghanistan’s ungoverned spaces to turn into a de facto arms depot, further fueling terrorism and destabilizing the region.
Pakistan, which has consistently raised concerns about the dangers posed by Afghanistan-based militancy, has seen its calls largely unheeded by the global community. There is a pressing need for greater cooperation among nations to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a breeding ground for transnational terrorism. The current global response to the crisis has been fragmented, as major powers continue to prioritize their respective strategic goals over collective regional security.
Pakistan’s Path Forward
Given the lack of a cohesive international response, Pakistan has had to rely on its own defenses to navigate the growing security threat. Strengthening counterterrorism efforts, enhancing border security, and promoting intelligence-sharing with neighboring countries are critical steps for Pakistan to safeguard its national security. However, Pakistan cannot address this challenge in isolation. It is essential that Pakistan continues to advocate for regional cooperation, working with international organizations to encourage a concerted effort in addressing the flow of weapons into Afghanistan and mitigating their impact on neighboring states.
The Afghan Interim Government must be held accountable for the responsibility it bears over the weapons left behind. This accountability should not only focus on the return or secure disposal of military equipment but also on tangible actions to stabilize Afghanistan and contribute to regional security. If the Afghan government fails to ensure that the weapons are used solely for governance and peacebuilding, it must be held to account through constructive diplomatic channels, with an emphasis on the maintenance of good relations with neighboring countries, internal stability, and counterterrorism cooperation.
Also See: Pakistan’s Long Struggle with Afghanistan’s Instability
Building Peace through Diplomacy and Accountability
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent abandonment of billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment have left an indelible mark on the region, contributing to an arms build-up that fuels terrorism and undermines regional stability. Pakistan, as a neighboring country, bears the most significant impact of this militarization, facing escalating security challenges and economic strain as it responds to cross-border militant activities.
The international community, in recognizing the severity of the situation, must take coordinated diplomatic steps to address the weapons crisis. At the same time, Pakistan must continue to prioritize its national security while fostering regional cooperation. The path to peace lies not only in military measures but in sustained diplomatic engagement and accountability for all actors involved. Through collaboration, dialogue, and a commitment to shared security, it is possible to begin de-escalating tensions and ensuring a more stable future for the region.
