The governments participating in the rescue mission in Afghanistan had unanimously warned of the growing threat of terrorism, particularly at Kabul airport, where thousands were waiting to leave.
The danger of suicide bombers from the terrorist militia “Islamic State” mingling with those waiting was considered so great that foreign citizens were warned not to come to the airport.
The warnings were justified, as the attack on Thursday showed.
But the threat that could loom after the Taliban came to power goes far beyond that.
All Islamist terrorist groups and jihadists should celebrate the return of the Taliban as a great victory over the West.
After the devastating defeat of IS in Iraq and Syria, this victory can be exploited for propaganda purposes despite its rivalry with the Taliban.
In addition, their new rule offers operational prospects.
Afghanistan could once again become a platform for transnational terrorist groups, as it did twenty years ago.
It would not be surprising if the country were to have a magnetic effect on the International of Terror again, and jihadism would gain a new impetus.
Experts doubt that al Qaeda is still capable of major terrorist attacks.
But after the many misjudgments on which the disengagement debacle was based, it is better not to consider anything impossible.
The terrorist threat is real!
Initially, however, the discussion about an extension of the militarily organized rescue mission should have come to an end.
This mission will end sooner than it will be extended.
That is bitter for all those who still hope to be flown out.
When the Western soldiers have withdrawn, they are at the mercy of the Taliban for better or for worse.