“America’s Monster”: How a U.S. Ally Kidnapped, Killed & Tortured Hundreds in Afghanistan

A major New York Times investigation explores the history of one of America’s most important allies in the war against the Taliban: Abdul Raziq. While fighting in Afghanistan, Raziq was frequently praised by American generals and oversaw soldiers “trained, armed and paid by the United States and its allies.” But to civilians in the area, Raziq became known as “America’s monster” after coming to power through years of torture, extrajudicial killing and abduction. Raziq, who was assassinated in 2018, was responsible for the largest known campaign of forced disappearances during America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan. “Raziq was basically the poster child for brutality by the U.S.-backed government,” says New York Times journalist Matthieu Aikins. Despite knowing about the abuses, the U.S. “continued to work with Raziq side by side because he was just so effective in the war.” Aikins argues U.S. “wishful thinking and self-delusion” about the atrocities committed by U.S. troops and allies “is part of the reason why the U.S. failed in Afghanistan despite spending 20 years there and so many hundreds of billions of dollars.”