Thread by @FinancialTimes

When the US invaded Afghanistan, many hoped for advances in democracy, human rights and women's rights. Twenty years later, American troops leave a country in fear.

In this film by @JoeSinFT, Afghans reveal the reality of war, past, present, and future ft.com/video/7d024732…

From 1996-2001, the Taliban ruled with little mercy. But during the US-led war, the local population has continued to suffer the most ft.com/video/7d024732…

What started as a bid to remove al-Qaeda morphed into an expensive exercise in nation building. Besides providing security, the US also made efforts to eradicate drugs trade, bolster the economy and promote women's rights ft.com/video/7d024732…

Life has improved in many ways:
👉 There are now 3.5m girls in school
👉 Women on average live nine years longer
👉 27% of parliament seats are reserved for women
ft.com/video/7d024732…

But security is fragile. The Taliban, Isis and other groups have carried out horrific attacks. Earlier this year a bomb outside a girls high school in Kabul killed at least 80
ft.com/video/7d024732…

'When I sleep, I see war. When I’m outside I see war. When I’m here I see dead bodies,' said Massoud Hossaini, a Pulitzer prize-winning photographer.

The constant threat takes its toll. Those seen as pro-west often receive death threats 👇
ft.com/video/7d024732…

This year, Joe Biden announced that American troops would leave Afghanistan, arguing that the US's goals with the war have been achieved: Osama Bin Laden is dead and al-Qaeda is degraded.

So why has the US stayed for so long?
ft.com/video/7d024732…

The US is more focused on the threat of China, while conflicts such as Afghanistan and Syria are a drain on resources, says @GideonRachman, which leaves some Afghans feeling betrayed ft.com/video/7d024732…