Taliban
The Taliban Is Selling America’s Lost Afghanistan Arsenal
Given the Taliban’s contacts during their twenty-year insurgency, it should come as little surprise that American weapons are ending up in the hands of the world’s worst rogues’ gallery.
The Taliban’s Canal
Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from a Center for the National Interest report entitled “Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia,” with some edits made for...
VIDEO: Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia
On December 5, the Center for the National Interest launched its latest report, “Afghanistan’s Qoshtepa Canal and Water Security in Central Asia.” This report argues that efforts by the incoming...
The Afghanistan Withdrawal Three Years Later
Today marks the third anniversary of the last day of U.S. presence in Afghanistan, August 30, 2021, and no matter how much the White House and the media shy away...
Inside the Taliban’s Afghanistan
On August 15, 2024, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan celebrated the third anniversary of the takeover of Kabul, ending years of conflict and the failure of twenty years of Western...
Tajikistan and the Taliban
Since August 2021, all Central Asian republics have been, in one way or another, contending with Taliban rule in Afghanistan. While treading cautiously, each Central Asian government faces a host...
The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century
Editor’s Note: The following is adapted from The Melting Point: High Command and War in the 21st Century, a book by Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. (USMC, Ret.) and published by...
Afghanistan Under the Taliban: What We Know and Don’t Know
The latest UN Secretary-General’s report on Afghanistan, a comprehensive snapshot of developments in the country prepared every quarter by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), took careful note of...
Pakistan Could Be Headed Toward Disaster in 2024
In 2023, Pakistan was convulsed by three crises — economic, political and security. They originated in 2021 and 2022 but became more serious, forcing the country to pay the price...
Condemning Qatar is Counterproductive
The tiny Gulf state of Qatar is again capturing headlines for its role in mediating between Israel and Hamas. While a fresh deal for the release of hostages being held...
White House Report on Afghan Withdrawal Ignores Contractors
The White House released a twelve-page summary report on the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan with little fanfare ahead of the Easter holiday. This low-key approach is unsurprising, given that America’s...
Despite Flaws, the 2020 U.S.-Taliban Deal Should Still Be Implemented
Two years ago, on February 29, 2020, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation representing the United States, signed a deal with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Chief of Taliban’s...