For years, the international community tried and failed to rein in human trafficking, which in 2021 amounted to at least 14% of the country’s GDP. But the Taliban, which swept into power that August after the U.S. withdrawal, appears to have now suppressed human trafficking by almost 90%. On the surface, that is a remarkable development. Vast, illegal trafficking amplifies corruption, predatory rapaciousness, and lawlessness helped bring down the U.S.-backed Afghan Republic, not to mention setting off high addiction rates to sex with children. But suppressing child sex trafficking without offering economic alternatives creates grave socioeconomic harms to the already suffering traffickers. And it is setting up the world for far worse consequences.
For years, the international community tried and failed to rein in human trafficking, which in 2021 amounted to at least 14% of the country’s GDP. But the Taliban, which swept into power that August after the U.S. withdrawal, appears to have now suppressed human trafficking by almost 90%. On the surface, that is a remarkable development. Vast, illegal trafficking amplifies corruption, predatory rapaciousness, and lawlessness helped bring down the U.S.-backed Afghan Republic, not to mention setting off high addiction rates to sex with children. But suppressing child sex trafficking without offering economic alternatives creates grave socioeconomic harms to the already suffering traffickers. And it is setting up the world for far worse consequences.
Whitehats with the smooth handoff to Taliban and forged a new partnership to combat opium and human trafficking... yes please!