Afghan Taliban

None of Washington’s errors in Afghanistan was greater in scope than the peace agreement signed with the Taliban in February 2020.

Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the Taliban have entrenched themselves in power and common Afghans have been driven into abject destitution.

Afghanistan's women's movement, being pushed into a narrow corner, has the opportunity to consolidate intellectually and practically, and rise to the occasion as a consistent and cohesive actor. 

The international community can use diplomatic, economic, and military sanctions to pressure a regime and its political and military leadership.

Ultimately, the Taliban exploit the good intentions of the U.N. and other donors whose main interest is seeing at least some aid get to the Afghan people, even if the Taliban get to claim credit. 

With little fanfare, U.S. and Taliban delegations met this week in Doha. Their agendas are telling in their differences.

"Getting into another warlike situation with the Taliban is unlikely to improve the plight of ordinary Afghans or the nature of Afghanistan’s reality today."

The attack targeted a Pakistani party that has close ties with the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban.

Why would the TTP, which was rejuvenated by the Taliban victory in Afghanistan, subsume itself into a group that is ideologically and operationally weaker?

The Taliban cannot be understood without considering the earliest history, beliefs, and practices of Deobandism. 

"I am the only supporter of my three daughters and a jobless husband and this beauty salon is the only source of income for my family," one salon owner said, highlighting the impact of the new decree.

Afghanistan's opiate economy is unlikely to be disrupted by a one-off campaign of crop destruction in a handful of provinces.