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Afghanistan
Afghanistan Under the Taliban: Recognition, Security, and Geopolitics
By Catherine Putz and Ankit Panda
What is the state of play in Afghanistan today?
The Silent Erosion of Afghanistan’s Urban Middle Class: A Neglected Crisis
By Lutfi Rahimi
While the focus on Afghanistan tends to revolve around geopolitical tensions and security concerns, the slow erosion of the urban middle class is sending the country decades backward.
A Reality Check on Afghanistan’s Isolation Under the Taliban
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Beneath the U.N. secretary general’s claims of consensus in Doha, a clear division is visible among countries regarding whether and how to do business with the Taliban.
UN Doha Conference on Afghanistan Fails to Achieve Key Goals
By Freshta Jalalzai
The Taliban’s refusal to participate – and those invited to represent Afghanistan from other groups – sparked much debate among Afghans.
A Murdered Ambassador, a Closed Embassy: The Tragic History of US Diplomacy in Afghanistan
By Freshta Jalalzai
As the U.S. debates the fate of its embassy in Kabul, it's worth remembering the broader context of Afghanistan-U.S. diplomatic relations – including the murder of Ambassador Dubs in 1979.
Afghanistan’s Climate Crisis: Addressing Drivers of Conflict
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Helping Afghans deal with climate-induced emergencies could aid in addressing the drivers of unending conflict and instability in the long-term.
Is Afghanistan’s ‘Regional Cooperation Initiative’ an Opening for India?
By Anuraag Khaund
As the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate calls for developing a “region-centric narrative,” New Delhi can’t afford to be left out.
Pakistan’s TTP Challenge and Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations
By Nazir Ahmad Mir
The Taliban have proved unresponsive to Pakistan's security concerns, resulting in mounting tensions between the two.
China Welcomes a Taliban Ambassador to Beijing
By Freshta Jalalzai
While still short of formal diplomatic recognition, the move is part of a trend of growing engagement driven by the strategic interests of both sides.
Engaging With the Taliban Doesn’t Work
By Lauryn Oates
Observers urging engagement with the Taliban should take direction from those on the ground, who are directly impacted by the Taliban’s discriminatory policies.
The Plight of Hazaras Under the Taliban Government
By Gul Hassan Mohammadi
Under the Taliban, the Hazara community in Afghanistan is subjected to extreme violence and systematic dehumanization.
Kazakhstan’s Evolving Afghanistan Policy
By Aziza Mukhammedova
Afghanistan’s market and its position as a trade route that can connect Central Asia to South Asian ports are critically important to Kazakhstan.