Strategic Resilience Against the Taliban: A Continuation of National Resistance

Kokcha News Agency: In politics, every action gains true meaning when it aligns with strategic goals—gaining, preserving, and expanding power. Amrullah Saleh, former Vice President of Afghanistan, has been criticized by some resistance members for joining the team of ousted President Ashraf Ghani. However, according to analyst Razmanda, this move was both legitimate and justified within the context of political survival and national interest.

Saleh, a former intelligence chief, entered the political arena with a clear, nationally oriented agenda. His principled approach, grounded in precise data and strategic calculations, led him to engage with the center of power to maintain his nationalist stance and influence key security and policy decisions for the benefit of the country. The question arises: if others had the same opportunity, would they not have joined Ghani and become part of the republic?

Had Saleh not made this choice, given his intelligence background and the sensitivity of regional intelligence agencies toward him, what options would he have had? Political isolation for a politician equates to a slow death—especially in a tense environment with growing security threats and pressure from competitors. In such circumstances, aligning with power remains the only way to preserve one’s ideas and national goals.

The collapse of the 20-year republic cannot be blamed on a single individual. Political decay began with the assassination of National Hero Ahmad Shah Massoud and the end of the first wave of resistance, when Panjshir’s arsenals and traditional bases were handed over to foreign intelligence agencies under the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program. The detachment of leaders from the people, the lack of a clear agenda, dependence on external forces, and the gradual acceptance of losing real power to retain positions accelerated the fall. Saleh alone cannot be held accountable for the strategic mistakes of two decades of resistance.

After the fall of the republic, Saleh took a firm, unwavering, and principled stance against the Taliban. While many former republican leaders and jihadists sought compromises with the Taliban and abandoned armed resistance, Saleh was convinced that the only real path forward was focused and prolonged resistance. He believed that the Taliban, who refused to compromise during their period of weakness, would be even less willing to negotiate now that they hold full power and resources.

Saleh was among the first leaders to arrive in Panjshir, bringing money, resources, and weapons to initiate resistance. Until the last moment, he stood against the Taliban, did not flee the country, and did not abandon the frontlines. Moreover, his exposé and media activities against the Taliban, despite a powerful propaganda campaign against him, had a significant impact on both the political and military fronts.

Firstly, Saleh’s decision to align with the center of power should be viewed through the lens of political survival. In Afghan politics, where key players have always sought to eliminate rivals, absence from the decision-making arena would mean complete disappearance. Saleh, understanding this, used opportunities to ensure his survival and expand his influence.

Secondly, his strategy was based on the understanding that without access to sources of power, it is impossible to implement any national or long-term security program. In Afghanistan, sources of power include internal support, external alliances, and media resources. During his time in government, Saleh supported all three directions to maintain the initiative in critical moments.

Thirdly, his choice came in an environment where internal and regional opponents sought to strip him of his influence. The pressure from intelligence agencies, security threats, and propaganda attacks could only be countered by having access to power structures and using them to protect himself and his organization.

Fourthly, Saleh’s unwavering and principled stance after the fall of the republic shows that his earlier alignment with power was not for personal gain but part of a strategic plan for the future. Even after losing state structures, he did not abandon his principles and continued resistance as the only viable path. Such consistency in the volatile Afghan political landscape is rare, a quality many other leaders lacked.

These facts demonstrate that Amrullah Saleh is a politician with a clear, data-driven program aimed at combating the Taliban through the mobilization and consolidation of political and military forces. Therefore, both his past political choices and his current principled stance were not mistakes but rather necessary steps within the framework of political rationality and strategic calculation.