The US capital Washington DC was shaken when two National Guard soldiers were seriously injured in an ambush just a short distance from the White House in the downtown area. The security forces retaliated against the attacker and injured him and he was then taken into custody. The Department of Homeland Security has identified the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who came to the United States in 2021 under the Operation Ally’s Welcome program. Let us remind you that this was the same program through which thousands of Afghans who helped American forces in the Afghanistan war were brought to America to save them from possible torture by the Taliban.
Meanwhile, following this shooting, the Donald Trump administration has announced an immediate and indefinite halt to all immigration requests related to Afghan citizens. Both injured soldiers are currently hospitalized in critical condition, while the Trump administration has ordered the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to the capital.
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If seen, this attack on two National Guard soldiers near the White House in Washington DC is not just a local security incident; This will have direct impacts on America’s internal politics, immigration policy, security architecture and international relations, especially Afghanistan. The incident has not only raised questions over the security of the capital, but has also brought the humanitarian policies adopted by the US over the years into the center of political debate.
Donald Trump labeling it “terrorism” immediately after the incident and announcing re-screening of all Afghans arriving in 2021 and 2022 make it clear that the attack will make the immigration issue more acute in American politics. It is believed that this incident will have a direct impact on ‘Operation Allies Welcome’. The ‘Operation Allies Welcome’ program, launched by the Biden administration after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, was considered an essential effort from a humanitarian point of view. Thousands of Afghans who had worked with US forces as translators, aides or partners were brought to the US due to the threat of the Taliban. Now after this attack, this program has come in the dock and the political attack on its security vetting process will intensify.
Additionally, Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance’s statement that the incident “vindicated” his immigration policy is an indication that the incident will be used to justify tougher immigration measures in the coming weeks and months. History shows that every violent incident in the US involving a person of foreign background has a direct impact on immigration laws—be it post-9/11 policy or before.
Also, targeting a military patrol at a short distance from the White House can also be considered a symbolic message. The involvement of any organized terrorist group has not been found so far, but the successful ambush in a high-security area, the attacker acting alone, targeting the National Guard, etc. are a serious warning to American security agencies. From a strategic perspective, this means that the risk of lone wolf attacks still exists. Despite the attacker’s intentions not being clear, this incident indicates that the US administration will now have to reassess domestic security.
Moreover, such an attack by someone of Afghan origin will directly affect the relations between the two countries and this impact will be felt at many levels. Millions of Afghan citizens settled in America are already facing social and political pressure. This phenomenon can increase conditions and harassment for them, whether they are living legally or not. History shows that the violence of one person affects the entire community and this incident will be no exception.
The Taliban government does not often respond to such incidents in the US, but this incident could reinforce the growing negative perception of Afghan refugees in Western countries. This will have a direct impact on the resettlement policies of Afghans in the future and it is possible that European and other countries may also re-review their refugee policies.
Let us tell you that a program like Operation Allies Welcome was a model not only for America but for many western countries. If the credibility of this program is questioned, rehabilitation efforts for war-torn countries globally will face political opposition in supporting countries.
The deployment of 500 additional National Guard troops following the attack signals that an already increased military presence in Washington DC will become more stringent. But this move also raises many constitutional questions. Like- Is increasing military presence in the capital a long-term solution to security? Will it be seen as a tool of political control? Will this increase tension in civil-military relations? If seen, in a city like Washington, which is already a center of political polarization, the increasing presence of military forces there can impact law and order and will also intensify the debate regarding civil liberties.
However, this incident also makes it clear that identification and prevention of lone attackers will remain a challenge for the American security system. There will be an increase in stringency in immigration policies, whether security-related or politically motivated. The rehabilitation program of Afghan refugees will suffer huge losses, which will also have international ramifications. Mistrust in US–Afghanistan relations may increase, especially at a time when the need for humanitarian assistance and connectivity is greater. After the incident, Trump calling Afghanistan a hell on earth shows that this incident can become a cause of difficulties for Afghans all over the world.