The War Is Over, the Worrying Begins

1. Set Focus
Pose this essential question to guide discussion: What obligation—if any—does the U.S. have to promote and maintain democracy around the world? What factors might make that obligation not worth the risks?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence:

• Why did the U.S. invade Afghanistan in 2001? Why is the U.S. withdrawing all troops now? (The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Taliban, which controlled Afghanistan at the time, was sheltering Al Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden, who had planned the attacks. The U.S. has withdrawn troops now because the war has been at a stalemate for many years with no end in sight, even if U.S. troops had stayed.)

• How does the third paragraph of the text clarify ideas presented in the first two paragraphs? (The third paragraph explains that the U.S. is pulling its troops out of Afghanistan after fighting the Taliban for 20 years. This information helps clarify the fears Zubair Ahmad, an Afghan citizen, expresses about the future.)

• The author says, “This has left Afghans with a stark new reality.” What does she mean? (The author means that with the Taliban now in control, Afghans face the prospect of the loss of freedom, ongoing violence, and incredibly strict rules. Those who breaks the rules could face punishment for even the slightest infractions.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Print or project the activity In Their Words. Have students identify the speaker for each quotation from the article and paraphrase his or her words.

4. Writing Prompt
Now that the Taliban have retaken control of Afghanistan, consider what options the international community might have to influence their behavior. Write a short response explaining.

5. Classroom Debate
Was the decision to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Afghanistan the right one?

6. Quiz & Skills
Assess comprehension with the quiz. Use Be the Editor to review grammar skills.