Taliban
In Search of Proxies
As Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban deteriorates, Islamabad is discreetly courting Afghan opposition groups in search of a new ally. Interviews with figures such as Yasin Zia and Ahmad Massoud reveal how Pakistan’s Afghan policy is shifting — and why a cycle of proxy politics may be doomed to repeat itself.
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 newsletter. Shortly after the Taliban took control of Kabul and reestablished their Islamic Emirate, I found myself talking to the…
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.