On August 15, 2021, the Taliban’s entry into Kabul marked the abrupt end of direct U.S. and international involvement in the country. What followed was a grim reality: the economy teetered on the brink of collapse, women faced systematic and often violent suppression, and civil society crumbled. The international community continues to grapple with the question of whether and how to engage with the Taliban regime.
In the summer of 2021, the Center hosted a dialogue series titled “Crossroads: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States,” which examined the intricate relationships between these three nations in anticipation of the U.S. withdrawal. Building on the insights from those discussions, Michael Carroll brings together Timor Sharan and Adam Weinstein in the latest podcast episode to explore the country’s challenges in the aftermath of the Taliban’s return to power. This episode delves into the social, economic, and political repercussions of the regime change and considers the broader implications for the region and the world.
Dr Timor Sharan is the author of Inside Afghanistan: Political Networks, Informal Order, and State Disruption. He is the Executive Director of Afghanistan Policy Lab and an Associate Fellow at the London School of Economics, IDEAS foreign policy think tank. He was formerly the International Crisis Group’s Senior Analyst for Afghanistan and worked as a senior public servant for the Islamic Republic.
Adam Weinstein is a research fellow at the Quincy Institute. He previously worked for KPMG’s international trade practice. Weinstein’s current research focuses on security, trade, and rule of law in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He received a JD from Temple University Beasley School of Law with a concentration in international law and transitional justice. Weinstein served as a U.S. Marine and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012.
