The Future of Afghanistan

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Last summer, the United States decided to end its longest war in Afghanistan. Just days after the U.S. military withdrew from the country, Kabul fell—and the Taliban took control. Aug. 15 marked one year since the group has been in power. How are Afghans coping with their new rulers? What are the internal policy spats within the Taliban? Has the international community done enough to assist Afghans? What does the future hold for the country? For answers, watch FP editor in chief Ravi Agrawal’s in-depth discussion with Lynne O’Donnell, an FP columnist detained by the Taliban in late July, and Michael Kugelman, the writer of FP’s weekly South Asia Brief.

FP columnist Lynne O’Donnell recalls her detainment by the Taliban and what it taught her about their ability to govern.

Why does neighboring Pakistan have buyer’s remorse about the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan?

FP’s Michael Kugelman discusses India’s play in Afghanistan.

Lynne O'Donnell

Lynne O’Donnell

Columnist, Foreign Policy

Michael Kugelman

Asia Program deputy director, Wilson Center

ravi agrawal

Ravi Agrawal

Editor in chief, Foreign Policy

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A military transport plane departs overhead as Afghans hoping to leave the country wait outside the Kabul airport on Aug. 23, 2021. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan earlier in August, more than 120,000 people were airlifted out of Afghanistan in one of the largest mass evacuations in U.S. history.
A military transport plane departs overhead as Afghans hoping to leave the country wait outside the Kabul airport on Aug. 23, 2021. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan earlier in August, more than 120,000 people were airlifted out of Afghanistan in one of the largest mass evacuations in U.S. history.

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The war in Ukraine has propelled the United States and Europe closer on a variety of foreign-policy issues. But do Washington and Brussels agree on how to deal with Beijing’s growing clout...Show more

A military transport plane departs overhead as Afghans hoping to leave the country wait outside the Kabul airport on Aug. 23, 2021. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan earlier in August, more than 120,000 people were airlifted out of Afghanistan in one of the largest mass evacuations in U.S. history.
A military transport plane departs overhead as Afghans hoping to leave the country wait outside the Kabul airport on Aug. 23, 2021. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan earlier in August, more than 120,000 people were airlifted out of Afghanistan in one of the largest mass evacuations in U.S. history.

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Over the last few years, the United States has moved to limit China’s technological rise. U.S.-led sanctions have imposed unprecedented limits on Beijing’s access to advanced computing c...Show more

A military transport plane departs overhead as Afghans hoping to leave the country wait outside the Kabul airport on Aug. 23, 2021. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan earlier in August, more than 120,000 people were airlifted out of Afghanistan in one of the largest mass evacuations in U.S. history.
A military transport plane departs overhead as Afghans hoping to leave the country wait outside the Kabul airport on Aug. 23, 2021. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan earlier in August, more than 120,000 people were airlifted out of Afghanistan in one of the largest mass evacuations in U.S. history.

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