Letter from Kabul
The Naked Don’t Fear the Water
While drought has been a problem in Afghanistan and Iran for a long time, it has worsened over recent years. The Taliban claim that water levels are too low due to climate change, and that even if they open Kajaki dam, nothing will reach Iran.
For Taliban, Ideology Over Pragmatism
Few of us knew exactly why the assembly, or jirga, was being convened, but we knew that it was symbolically important. Interest picked up when news spread that the Taliban’s supreme leader had come to Kabul to speak at the event. No Taliban leader had ever spoken at at a large public meeting in the capital before.
Earthquake Exposes Afghanistan’s Political Fault Lines
The Taliban must prove they can build the country as effectively as they waged war. A deadly earthquake in Afghanistan's southeast has underlined just how difficult that will be.
In Afghanistan, a Drought Highlights the Climate Crisis
While decades of war have left their mark on the lake, the worst damage may yet be done by something we Afghans are ill-prepared for: the global climate crisis.
Afghanistan’s Sufis Are Under Attack
Attempts are underway to ignite a sectarian war in Afghanistan. History suggests this will not work
Afghan Women Deserve to Be Respected
The Taliban government should recognize that we all owe a debt to Afghan women and stop unnecessarily interfering in their lives.
The Taliban Still Depend on Mullah Omar’s Legacy
Nine years after his death, the founding leader of the Islamist movement continues to exert an unparalleled influence over its members.