Taliban
Enemy of My Enemy
India’s growing engagement with the Taliban reflects the shifting geopolitical realities of the region, while Pakistan — once a favored ally of the group — appears to be losing influence.
The Failure of Nonviolence in Afghanistan
“Letter from Kabul” is a newsletter in which our contributors provide their own unique glimpses into life on the ground in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.To read them first, sign up to our…
The Long War of a Taliban Family
Jihad has long been a family tradition in households across Afghanistan; it’s a rite of passage that has little to do with international terrorism and everything to do with honor and a very particular sense of justice.
The Mysterious Public Appearances of the Taliban’s Supreme Leader
This “Letter from Kabul” is part of a new offering by New Lines. Our contributors provide their own unique glimpses into life on the ground in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Today’s segment looks at two rare public appearances by the Taliban’s supreme leader. To read them first, sign up to our newsletter.…
Is This the Future of Taliban Rule?
The reality of life in Afghanistan almost four months since the movement’s fighters took control is more complex than many reports suggest, especially those on polarized social media platforms. A mood of anxiety and uncertainty prevails, amid a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a U.S.-led embargo that could leave millions starving this winter.
In the Afghan Capital, the Economic Desperation Is Palpable
Acts of quiet desperation are a feature of daily life here in Kabul this winter. Although they may not grab the headlines like the suicide bombings of the Islamic State group or the latest proclamations of the Taliban, they too are expressions of a certain kind of politics.
The Façade of the Afghan Jihad
To this small but influential number of Muslims in Europe and the U.S., Afghanistan is not really a country, but a mythical canvas onto which they can paint their own hopes and dreams.