Four Years Later: The Bitter and Sweet Experiences of Afghanistan’s Change in Governance

Tomorrow, August 15, 2025, marks an important day in Afghanistan’s modern history. It is not only the fourth anniversary of the fall of the last republican government but also the completion of four years since the establishment of the new Afghan caretaker government. Four years have passed, and now is the time to evaluate the positive and negative aspects of this period with a calm and balanced perspective.
On the negative side, the most significant and debated issue has been the closure of schools for girls, depriving half of society of their right to education. The suspension of women’s employment in most government institutions has added to household economic challenges and significantly limited the role of women in public life. The increasing migration of energetic and highly educated youth has reduced the country’s human capital and weakened its future development capacity, carrying long-term social and economic consequences.
However, the list of positive achievements is also long and notable. Keeping all government institutions operational, accelerating the process of handling citizens’ affairs, ensuring the systematic and transparent collection of taxes, and asphalting, widening, and cleaning roads in Kabul have brought visible improvements to urban life. At the same time, major road construction projects across the country are underway, which are vital for the expansion of trade and economic activity.
In terms of security, the war has ended, and the entire country is under the full control of the central government. ISIS has been completely defeated, and with gratitude to God, there has been no explosion or security incident for an extended period. Both citizens and foreign tourists can now travel with confidence to every corner of the country at any time, day or night. Moreover, the services of the central government have reached even the most remote villages, and reconstruction projects, carried out through joint efforts of the private sector and the government, are being implemented on a large scale.
Economic activity has resumed, and despite the return of refugees, the country’s economy and security have remained under control. The stability and value of the Afghani currency have remained unprecedentedly high. The continued operation of airports, regular domestic and international flights, reconstruction efforts despite limited resources, increased transparency, and the provision of facilities for investors have all contributed to building an atmosphere of economic confidence. The growth in mineral extraction has not only boosted revenues but also had a positive impact on job creation.
The elimination of local warlords and the consolidation of central authority across the country is a hallmark of this four-year rule, presenting a new image of stability on the nation’s political map. Although challenges remain significant, if the momentum of positive achievements continues and serious steps are taken to address shortcomings, Afghanistan could open new chapters toward stability, development, and the revival of public hope.
With this hope.