A Pashto-led consensus council shaping Afghanistan’s political order
UNESCO and UN Women warn five years into Taliban rule that bans on secondary and higher education for girls and women have intensified, erasing two decades of progress and threatening Afghanistan’s social and economic future. The UN calls for immediate restoration of education rights as thousands remain barred from schooling.
The Taliban’s return to power has reached five years as Kabul marks the anniversary with ceremonies and crackdowns. While security has improved and some infrastructure projects advance, women face sweeping restrictions, humanitarian needs rise, and international recognition remains limited. Attacks against officials persist, while aid workers face detentions amid a fragile economy.