One year of Taliban 2.0. – I
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan is still in the quest for formal recognition after having completed a year in power. Its leaders’ visits to regional countries and world capitals (Moscow…
Taliban and the women
Afghanistan has drastically transformed in the one year since the fall of Kabul and the Taliban coming to power. Large numbers of the population have fled the country in the…
The Taliban mindset
THE Taliban regime in Afghanistan enjoys complete freedom to enforce its political and religious order. They are doing what they believe is right. And in doing so, as suggested by…
The Taliban’s dilemma
DESPITE eight months in power, the Taliban seem clueless about what kind of political space they want to create in Afghanistan. A key factor contributing to this conundrum is the…
Islam, governance and the Taliban
Although there is an unmistakable march of secularism around the globe, religion continues to play an important political role in many parts. Currently, there are 27 countries in the world…
Hidden agenda and ‘deal’ with Taliban—II
George W. Bush appointed former aide to the American oil company UNOCAL, Afghan-born Zalmay Khalilzad, as special envoy to Afghanistan nine days after the US-backed interim government of Hamid Karzai…
Hidden agenda and ‘deal’ with Taliban
On September 11, 2001, nineteen years ago, humanity at large witnessed one of the most gruesome and heinous crimes in history. The wanton attack on twin towers of World Trade…
Talibanising Pashtuns
“Taliban [are] basically – predominantly – a Pashtun movement,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said while delivering the keynote address at the 17th extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's…
Afghans fear for jobs and money after Taliban takeover
As a nurse at one of Kabul’s main hospitals, Latifa Alizada was the breadwinner for her family, providing for her three young boys and unemployed husband. Now — since the…
Taliban battle for final holdout province of Panjshir
Anti-Taliban fighters in Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley said Friday they were battling to repulse “heavy” assaults, as the Islamists seek to capture the last holdout province defying their rule. Efforts to…
