Five years after Taliban takeover, life in Afghanistan marred by many struggles
Five years after the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, the country has seen a reduction in large-scale armed conflict but continues to face significant security and economic challenges. While major fighting has ceased, the population remains vulnerable to violence from groups like ISKP and ongoing regional tensions.
Why it matters
It provides a status update on the geopolitical stability of Afghanistan and the long-term consequences of the U.S. withdrawal.
It has been five years since the Taliban returned to Kabul, bringing an end to the U.S.-led military presence in Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic that had ruled the country for two decades. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the Afghan capital as President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. The collapse of the government marked the end of America’s longest war and the Taliban’s return to power.
Five years later, the Taliban remain in control of Afghanistan.
So, what has changed since 2021? The most immediate change was the end of the war between the Taliban and the then Afghan government.
The U.S. and NATO completed their military withdrawal in August 2021. Afghan security forces collapsed soon afterwards. The Taliban took control of Kabul and established themselves as the country’s de facto government.
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