Ambassador Haidari Speaks to National Security Scholars and Professionals on the Root Causes of Forced Displacement in Afghanistan and the World
By Staff Writer
On March 2, 2025, Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari, Founder and President of Displaced International (DI), spoke to a group of U.S. national security scholars and professionals associated with the NSEP Alumni Association in Washington, DC. His talk, titled The U.S. and Afghanistan: A History of Intervention, Its Aftermath and the Way Forward, comprehensively analyzed America’s involvement in Afghanistan and the ongoing challenges under Taliban rule. He was accompanied by DI Board member Taras Olytsky, a displaced professional from Ukraine with one of the world’s largest displaced populations.
The Ambassador highlighted the direct link between cycles of foreign intervention and Afghanistan’s prolonged instability, which has driven millions of Afghans from their homes. He emphasized that decades of conflict—culminating in the Taliban’s return to power in 2021—have led to one of the world’s largest displacement crises, with over 10 million Afghans uprooted within the country and abroad.
Why Displaced International (DI)
In his discussion, Ambassador Haidari underscored the worsening global displacement crisis, which some studies estimate will reach 1.2 billion people by 2050. Against this backdrop, he introduced DI as an organization that seeks to leverage the expertise and lived experiences of displaced professionals to advocate for and assist the world’s most vulnerable populations.
He noted that DI was established with the vision of fostering a world where peace, coexistence, tolerance, and dialogue replace war and violence. He emphasized that displacement is not merely a consequence of conflict but also of economic insecurity, climate change, and governance failures. Through DI, he advocates for increased global resources to be allocated toward addressing sustainable human security needs rather than perpetuating cycles of instability that drive displacement.
Prolonged Conflict and Its Impact on Displacement
Tracing the historical roots of displacement, Ambassador Haidari discussed how Cold War-era U.S. support for the Mujahideen against Soviet forces laid the groundwork for internal strife. The subsequent U.S. disengagement in the 1990s enabled the Taliban’s initial rise, forcing many Afghans—especially women, minorities, and political opponents—into exile.
Although the post-9/11 U.S. intervention temporarily improved stability, governance failures, insurgency, and corruption perpetuated displacement. The 2021 U.S. withdrawal triggered a renewed refugee crisis, as the Taliban’s rapid takeover left millions fearing persecution. Former government officials, journalists, and activists have faced targeted violence, while women and girls have seen their rights systematically dismantled. Economic collapse, famine, and widespread human rights abuses have further accelerated the mass exodus, leaving many Afghans with an impossible choice: endure Taliban rule or embark on perilous journeys in search of safety.
Taliban Rule and the Worsening Humanitarian Situation
Ambassador Haidari underscored the ongoing humanitarian disaster under Taliban governance, identifying several key drivers of forced migration:
- Security threats: Afghanistan has become a haven for terrorist groups, exacerbating instability.
- Economic collapse: Widespread poverty has forced many Afghans to migrate for survival.
- Gender oppression: Systemic discrimination against women and girls, including bans on education and employment, has left them with no future in their homeland.
- Political repression: Crackdowns on dissent, extrajudicial killings, and persecution of activists have made Afghanistan unlivable for those opposing Taliban rule.
As noted by Ambassador Haidari, more than half of Afghanistan’s population requires humanitarian aid. Yet, international assistance remains inconsistent, and mass deportations by neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran further worsen the crisis by returning refugees to dangerous conditions.
Policy Failures and the Need for Conflict Resolution
Ambassador Haidari criticized the lack of a cohesive international strategy to stabilize Afghanistan. The failure to establish an effective, long-term response has allowed the Taliban to entrench their power, exacerbating the suffering of civilians. Humanitarian aid alone is insufficient; a political solution is imperative.
He called for a UN-led, inclusive political process to address the root causes of displacement. Without meaningful engagement to establish a stable and representative government, Afghanistan will continue to generate refugees at an alarming rate, further straining global migration systems and security frameworks.
The United States has a pivotal opportunity to help resolve Afghanistan’s protracted conflict. Ambassador Haidari urged the Trump Administration to critically reassess the inherited U.S. policy on Afghanistan and take concrete steps to support the resumption of intra-Afghan dialogue for a durable political settlement. Establishing a legitimate and inclusive government is essential to addressing forced displacement and other pressing challenges facing the Afghan people. Moreover, such an outcome would not only enhance regional stability and strengthen global security but also serve America’s core national security interests—both immediately and in the long term—as the Ambassador repeatedly emphasized.
Conclusion
Ambassador Haidari’s discussion with U.S. national security scholars and professionals serves as a stark reminder that forced displacement in Afghanistan is not merely a humanitarian issue but a direct consequence of decades of failed interventions and governance crises. As the Taliban tighten their grip, the number of displaced Afghans will continue to rise, solidifying Afghanistan’s status as one of the world’s largest sources of refugees.
The international community must take decisive action to prevent Afghanistan’s crisis from worsening and ensure that the millions of displaced Afghans are not forgotten.
