Unless the Taliban regime adopts relatively non-intrusive social policies and embraces people-centric approaches to governance, it will remain somewhat a mirror image of its old regressive self from the 1990s.
Recurring flash floods across northern and eastern Afghanistan highlight the vulnerabilities faced by the population compounded by the impact of climate change and internal state failure.
While there has been a significant reduction in opium cultivation in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s watch, there is a need to more effectively address underlying drivers of opium cultivation.
Geopolitical and geo-economic reasons account for the Central Asian nations, barring Tajikistan, following a multi-vector approach towards the Afghan Taliban regime.
The Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) has claimed responsibility for last year’s botched Coimbatore and Mangalore blasts in an attempt to show its expanding influence, which raises serious concerns for Indian security agencies.
Given the ideological convergence the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has with the Taliban, the latter may not be able or willing to fulfil Pakistan’s demand that its activities be curbed.
The coming of Taliban to power in Afghanistan could upset the geopolitical applecart in Central Asia and adjoining regions. The growing association of radical Uyghur groups like the ETIM, with IS-K and the spread of jihadist operations in Central Asia could have significant implications for regional and international powers, particularly for China and its ambitious plans for Silk Road imperialism.
Taliban’s Approach to Natural Disasters
Recurring flash floods across northern and eastern Afghanistan highlight the vulnerabilities faced by the population compounded by the impact of climate change and internal state failure.