Tuesday

26th Sep 2023

Opinion

Afghan withdrawal may spark ex-forces terrorism in Europe

  • British and Irish soldiers, serving here in Mali. UK prime minister Boris Johnson was forced to write to British troops, reassuring them their efforts in Afghanistan were not in vain (Photo: Defence Images)
Listen to article

The US military withdrawal from Afghanistan raised criticism among current and former service members of Western armed forces that were once deployed in the country.

Emotionally distressed and frustrated voices emerged, for instance, from US and UK veterans of the Afghanistan war. The prevailing sentiment is that of resentment and disappointment that their efforts, injuries, and the deaths of battlefield companions may have been in vain, in particular given the rapid takeover of the Taliban and the risk of the country descending into civil war.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

  • One-in-five defendants in the Washington capitol riots in January had served in the military (Photo: EUobserver)

The vociferous criticism and concerns spurred military and non-military leaders to reassure their troops and boost morale. UK prime minister Boris Johnson reassured the British troops in a letter, stating that their efforts were not in vain, as they succeeded in their "central mission" of keeping the UK safe from attacks launched from Afghanistan. The last commander of the German contingent in Afghanistan, already withdrawn from the country in June, also congratulated German soldiers with their "mission accomplished".

The worsening security situation in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal may fuel right-wing radicalisation among (former) service members of Western troops that were once deployed there. In Germany, the chairman of the Association of German Veterans already warned that current events could make some of the Bundeswehr's veterans susceptible for recruitment by right-wing extremist groups; some right-wing veteran groups would have already emerged in the country.

The recent events in Afghanistan fit in perfectly with some recurring right-wing extremist themes. The impression of a 'pointless' war with a huge human and financial cost suits their anti-government narratives. The events may also feed their anti-democratic and anti-liberalist narratives, as they invigorate the idea of the demise of the Western democratic model.

Right-wing extremists in online communities have even praised the Taliban for their conservative and autocratic ruling and overthrowing of liberal values. The Taliban 'victory' over the world's most powerful military also serves to demonstrate that long-term and active resistance "pays off in the end". Also, the risk of Afghanistan turning into a renewed cradle of anti-Western terrorism and potential refugee flows from the region are invaluable for right-wing extremist propagandists.

Right-wing extremism among armed forces

These recruitment narratives may echo particularly among frustrated and enraged (former) service members. Right-wing radicalisation among armed forces in Europe is not new. In 2020, the German domestic intelligence service reported that more than 1,000 individuals working for the German armed forces were suspected of right-wing extremism.

Earlier this month it emerged that a group of Bundeswehr reservists had founded a right-wing extremist group and was in possession of weapons and ammunition.

More recently, a Belgian career soldier with battlefield experience in Afghanistan stole weapons from military barracks and threatened to kill health experts and politicians.

Also the US army may be confronted with a right-wing radicalisation issue: almost one-in-five of the defendants in the capitol riots in January, for instance, had served in the military.

Right-wing extremism may have a particular attraction among armed forces for several reasons. Right-wing extremists tend to valorise military activity and demonstrate a high fascination with weapons, which fits the spirits of armed forces. Researchers have also analysed how right-wing extremist groups actively attempt to recruit among military forces, as they would be highly valuable members for their organisation.

Military personnel may also display some vulnerability factors that favour their recruitment into violent extremist milieus.

For instance, recent research shows how radicalised individuals with a military background are more likely to suffer from trauma and mental illness, and that they are more often challenged with interpersonal problems and anger toward society. A difficult transition from military service to civilian life may also play a role: in their post-military life, soldiers can struggle to find the same sense of belonging and of purpose, which extremist groups are eager to exploit.

The armed forces are a reflection of society: a general increase in right-wing extremism will thus translate into an increase in radicalisation issues among military personnel.

Nevertheless, the radicalisation of individuals with military experience is potentially more dangerous. These recruits can bring right-wing extremist organisations legitimacy, access to weapons, and other combat skills. This makes their potential terrorist attacks much more lethal.

What can EU member states do to reduce this threat? A first step is to strengthen policies aimed at addressing mental health issues among service members and veterans, for instance, by eliminating barriers to seeking health care, such as stigma and cultural taboos. There is also space to provide support services to facilitate a better transition from military to civilian life.

Simultaneously, member states should introduce programming aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism in the military, where it has thus far not gained traction.

The societal impact of the swift withdrawal from Afghanistan will not be limited to Afghanistan. Adequate measures are needed to limit its impact on Europe as well, even if it comes from less visible forces.

Author bio

Annelies Pauwels is a research fellow at the Flemish Peace Institute in Brussels, where she focuses on violent extremism and terrorism. Prior to that, she conducted research on conflict and crime prevention for several international organisations, including the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Her previous research projects have focused, among others, on jihadist and right-wing terrorism, radicalisation in prison settings, and the EU’s terrorism prevention initiatives and cooperation.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author's, not those of EUobserver.

EU 'stands by Afghans' but wants most kept away

The European Commission wants to help vulnerable Afghans to reach the EU, while seeking to resettle thousands of others. But an internal document also says those not welcomed should be returned to transit or so-called third countries.

Column

Afghanistan: Europe's disgrace

Last year, 1,200 Afghans were deported from the EU. Thousands of them left voluntarily. Clearly 2021 is not 2015, despite what some governments might say.

Column

Afghanistan: The great Asian sink hole

The struggle for the survival of the Taliban's survival starts today. Afghanistan is a potential sink hole of instability. And we know what sinkholes do: they usually drag a much wider region down.

Column

AUKUS ruckus may blow over but transatlantic scars run deep

As US-China rivalries heat up, Europeans will be asked to join all kinds of new and exciting macho military alliances to show the world just who is boss. The temptation to join the bandwagon should be resisted.

Column

Will Poles vote for the end of democracy?

International media must make clear that these are not fair, democratic elections. The flawed race should be the story at least as much as the race itself.

Latest News

  1. EU and US urge Azerbijan to allow aid access to Armenians
  2. EU warns of Russian 'mass manipulation' as elections loom
  3. Blocking minority of EU states risks derailing asylum overhaul
  4. Will Poles vote for the end of democracy?
  5. IEA says: Go green now, save €11 trillion later
  6. The failure of the Just Energy Transition Fund in South Africa
  7. EU and G7 tankers facilitating Russian oil exports, report finds
  8. EU trade chief in Beijing warns China of only 'two paths' forward

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators, industry & healthcare experts at the 24th IMDRF session, September 25-26, Berlin. Register by 20 Sept to join in person or online.
  2. UNOPSUNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
  3. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsGeorgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
  4. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators & industry experts at the 24th IMDRF session- Berlin September 25-26. Register early for discounted hotel rates
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersGlobal interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch
  6. Nordic Council of Ministers20 June: Launch of the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. International Sustainable Finance CentreJoin CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
  2. ICLEISeven actionable measures to make food procurement in Europe more sustainable
  3. World BankWorld Bank Report Highlights Role of Human Development for a Successful Green Transition in Europe
  4. Nordic Council of MinistersNordic summit to step up the fight against food loss and waste
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersThink-tank: Strengthen co-operation around tech giants’ influence in the Nordics
  6. EFBWWEFBWW calls for the EC to stop exploitation in subcontracting chains

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us