August 21, 2026 (Hoover Institution) — August 15th marked five years since the fall of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. President Ashraf Ghani fled that afternoon, the Taliban entered Kabul that night, and the American evacuation began. But this anniversary is a live question rather than a settled one.
Earlier this month, former Lieutenant General Sami Sadat appeared in the uniform of the Afghan National Army, beneath the tricolour flag of the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and announced a phased armed campaign against the Taliban under the banner of the Afghanistan United Front.
He said negotiations had failed. He asked the international community for material support but made clear he did not want foreign troops.
