Dictators and autocratic forces capitalize on weak leadership, using diplomatic loopholes,
and democratic erosion to expand their influence and destabilize vulnerable nations. History has
demonstrated this in every corner of the world. Consequently, calling democratic nations to stand
as an example and warning to those who take advantage of easy situations. Democratic nations
must lead by example by projecting a strong global defense against autocrats and enforcing
stated commitments and consequences. In the absence of this, 20 years of flimsy democracy and
hope for a new democratic regime get washed away by a swift takeover, which was precisely the
case in Afghanistan.

Now, I would like to start by addressing that I am using the situation in Afghanistan as an
example of how we can learn from history and promote democracy globally. With that, I will
also say, that democracy is not a one size fits all regime and ideals which come with liberalism
must look differently in every country to address the needs and wants of the population.
However, that is a different argument entirely. Refocusing, my argument is that autocratic forces
will capitalize on every opportunity to expand their influence and, therefore, to stand firm against
autocratic forces, democratic nations must project a strong global defense and enforce promises.
Before examining the situation in Afghanistan, the United States’ foreign policy has
represented the need for a strong global defense of democracy. The Truman Doctrine (1947)
committed the U.S. to supporting democratic nations under threat from authoritarian forces,
fundamentally shifting American foreign policy from isolationism to proactive engagement. This
doctrine was pivotal in shaping the U.S. strategy during the Cold War, leading to extensive
military and economic aid to allies resisting communist expansion. Following this precedent, The Reagan Doctrine further reinforced American commitment to countering authoritarian regimes,
particularly in Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Through military support,
economic sanctions, and covert operations, the U.S. played a crucial role in destabilizing
oppressive governments, contributing to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union. The
collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent disintegration of Soviet influence
underscored the impact of consistent, assertive foreign policy.

Both of these policies represent the United States’ strong commitment to
promoting democracy and standing strong against autocratic forces. These historical precedents
affirm that weakness emboldens autocrats, while strength upholds democratic ideals. Without
strong international leadership, authoritarian regimes exploit diplomatic hesitancy and seize
opportunities to expand their control, threatening global stability. While these policies do portray
this, the situation in Afghanistan is proof that our definition of strong global defense of
democracy must adapt to include the pursuit of democracy in countries recovering from
autocracy.

In 2001, a U.S.-led coalition invaded Taliban-controlled Afghanistan after the Taliban
refused to hand over Osama bin Laden. By November 9, 2001, the Taliban regime had collapsed,
but bin Laden escaped to Pakistan. The invasion of Afghanistan was motivated by the 9/11
attacks and bringing bin Laden to justice. As a result, the Taliban regime collapsed leaving
Afghanistan an opportunity to move away from an autocratic regime. The UN passed Resolution 1378 at the beginning of November 2001, calling for the establishment of a temporary
administration. Following in December, the UN sponsored the Bonn Conference in 2001.
Afghanistan’s future regimes was now in the hands of a coalition of countries and limited
Afghan representation. The agreement at Bonn reinstated an 1964 constitution as interim basic
law. For context, the constitution was an experiment with constitutional democracy in 1964 by
King Muhammad Zahir Shah. While having both a Prime Minister, Monarch, and calling it a
constitution, the document merely gave the citizens a little breathing room with veil of
democracy dragged over it. The position of Prime Minister and Monarch got combined into an
extremely powerful President at Bonn which left the citizens with little say in policy. While the
deal agreed upon, necessitated a constitutional grand council be called so that reforms could be
instituted, that did not happen. Instead, autocratic systems were rebuilt. Most Afghan’s walked
into the Bonn conference with hopes for establishing peace, security, and the protection of
human rights however, they left with rebuilt autocratic systems with the sheen of democracy on
it. Not so far down the line, those same systems and powers would be exploited and used to
further slide Afghanistan right back to autocracy. About twenty years later, the Taliban retook
control of Kabul and brought closed autocracy back to Afghanistan.

The third attempt at democratization failed in Afghanistan but have we learned anything
from it? The Truman and Reagan Doctrine’s outlines how the U.S. will act toward and support
democratic nations under threat of autocracy but, they leave out a crucial part: the follow
through. In order to stand against threats of autocracy, a strong global front must be presented by
democratic nations. This means not only aiding countries financial and militarily or through
economic sanctions but also, following through on promised consequences and supporting
systems which help rebuild nations and promote democracy. The 2001 Bonn conference failed
Afghanistan. Instead of looking at the history of turmoil and addressing foundational problems, it
rebuilt autocratic systems wrapped in a bow of democracy. Even in the 2014 election, which was
called a North Korea-like situation, former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had to come
negotiate a deal and necessitate constitutional reform, which again, never happened. Democratic
nations had a second attempt to step up and lead by example however, failed to address the
situation in Afghanistan allowing power to eventually fall right back into the hands of the
Taliban. The fall of Kabul to the Taliban should serve as a stark reminder to democratic nations
to strengthen their commitment to promoting democracy worldwide.