Five years under Taliban rule: Millions starving, women stripped of rights in Afghanistan

Five years after the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan continues to grapple with a severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly half of its population, or 21.9 million people, requiring assistance—an increase of 3.5 million since the takeover. The nation is experiencing its sixth consecutive year of drought, pushing 4.7 million people to emergency levels of food insecurity. Critical aid cuts have led to the scaling back and closure of essential services, including nutrition and maternal health programs, while the return of 3.2 million Afghans from neighboring Iran and Pakistan in 2025 further strains already depleted public services.

Under Taliban rule, human rights have significantly deteriorated, particularly for women and girls. The de facto authorities have issued nearly 100 decrees that severely restrict women's and girls' access to education, employment, and public life, leading to accusations of "gender apartheid" and crimes against humanity. Afghanistan remains the only country where girls are banned from secondary and higher education. Dissent is suppressed, political parties are outlawed, and journalists face intimidation and arbitrary arrest.

The West's influence in Afghanistan has notably waned since the 2021 withdrawal, with the country largely becoming a "strategic blind spot" for Western nations. While formal recognition of the Taliban remains elusive, a "quiet fracturing" of Western unity is apparent as some allied states adjust to the Taliban's durable presence, potentially eroding Western leverage and prompting Kabul to seek alignment with non-Western partners. Significant cuts in foreign aid, particularly from the United States, have exacerbated Afghanistan's multifaceted crises, leaving its future uncertain amid persistent challenges to stability, economic development, and human rights.