Five years after the Western withdrawal and the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, a former British soldier is reflecting on the cost of the conflict. Jack Cummings, who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan, believes the sacrifice made by British troops, including over 450 who died, and his own life-altering injuries were ultimately not worthwhile.
Cummings' experience highlights the personal toll of the war. He sustained his injuries while searching for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the front lines. The anniversary of the Taliban's takeover brings renewed heartbreak for Cummings as he considers the freedoms that have been curtailed for Afghan women and children since the withdrawal.