Taliban government

The dismal fate of the Afghan people is that groups even more extreme than the Taliban are emerging to vie for power.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast at a mosque packed with Shiites in Kunduz but the Islamic State has long targeted the community.

Only a government that has legitimacy in the eyes of most Afghans will be able to govern a unified and peaceful Afghanistan.

Hyping an unsubstantiated “extremism” threat is a key, and classic, tactic in the Chinese government’s propaganda war.

Phone survey work in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in August and September underscores general discomfort with the topic of Afghanistan.

Expecting moderation from the Taliban and jumping on any signs of change: We’ve been here before.

Both Russia and Pakistan have reportedly urged Tajikistan and the Taliban to cool off their war of words, concerned about conflict on the border.

During its first period of rule the Taliban banned sports, even cricket. Will they view sports differently this time around?

With the economy on the brink of collapse, how can the Taliban approach the coming fiscal year?

Who sits at the high table of international politics when the political arena back home is embroiled in unrest or irregular transition?

When they first captured Kabul back in 1996, the Taliban promised amnesty. It wasn’t a genuine offer then, and it isn’t now either. 

Humanitarian aid experts desperately want to help, but their options are limited – especially if they want to avoid further empowering the Taliban.