Taliban

Forgotten sounds

Kharabat was once Kabul's sacred music district, but since the Taliban returned to Afghanistan, music has been banned. Yet those brought up for a life of performance have not given up hope

On Rumi's trail in Afghanistan

During Ramadan 2019, Marian Brehmer travelled to Rumi's birthplace, Balkh in northern Afghanistan, in search of the roots of the great Sufi master. His visit there left a lasting impression on him

Afghan and Iranian musicians join forces

Musicians from Afghanistan, Iran and Germany have come together to work on Bonn's Beethovenfest Campus Project 2023. The result can be heard on 14 September. By Anastassia Boutsko

Report from a forgotten land

15 August 2023 marked the second anniversary of the Taliban's return to Afghanistan. Emran Feroz recently travelled through the country – here is his exclusive report for Qantara.de on everyday life in Kabul

Who are the Pakistani Islamists vowing 'death to blasphemers'?

An outlawed Islamist political party with the main objective of protecting Pakistan's draconian blasphemy laws and punishing blasphemers has been linked to violence against Christians and the burning of several churches

Afghans face a failing economy and high taxation

Almost two years after the Taliban swept to power, other international crises have distracted attention away from Afghans' suffering amid the country's dire socioeconomic conditions. Looking ahead, Hameed Hakimi asks what are the economic prospects for Afghanistan under the Taliban?

Worry, relief, pride, despair

Two years since the Taliban stormed back to power in Afghanistan after 20 years of war against the United States and its allies, life has changed dramatically for many Afghans, particularly women

On a knife-edge between peace and conflict

As a result of climate change, weather extremes are on the rise. Many parts of the world are plagued by heat and drought. There is a lack of water in numerous areas, and tensions between neighbouring states are straining relations. Are the first conflicts already brewing?

The Taliban’s "War on Terror"

In their battle against the Islamic State's Afghan cell, the Taliban have appropriated the tactics of their former enemy: the Afghan government and its U.S. backers. They, however, are more likely to receive support from regional actors. Analysis by Emran Feroz

Terror returns with the TTP

When the Taliban swept back to power in Afghanistan just under two years ago, analysts warned that their return would also mean a return of the threat posed to neighbouring Pakistan by offshoot Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). By Mohammad Luqman

Afghan women take a stand