It’s pure terror in Afghanistan.

We are witnessing scenes not seen since the days of ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

As U.S. troops withdraw, the Taliban is back.

The Taliban is an extreme Islamic political and military organisation. It is known for enforcing a strict version of Sharia Law and sheltering terrorist organisations, such as Al Qaeda.

It ruled around three quarters of Afghanistan from 1996 up until 2001.

In 2001, a U.S. led military campaign overthrew the Taliban regime for its support of Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda was allowed to flourish in Afghanistan, meaning it could plan and conduct the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the U.S.

Following the 2001 military action, the Taliban never fully went away and has constantly waged attacks on U.S. and allied forces ever since.

The rugged mountainous terrain and alleged support from foreign nations and non-state actors has meant the Taliban could survive.

So What is Happening Now?

The U.S. is withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan after twenty years, following a peace deal with the Taliban. In return, the Taliban has pledged to prevent Al Qaeda from operating from within the country.

Oh, and there was one other agreement within that peace deal - that the Taliban would enter peace negotiations with the Afghan government. That didn’t go so well and the Taliban is now demanding the removal of the Afghan President.

Now the Taliban is on the move, conquering new territory from the Afghan government ever day. Nine of 34 provincial capitals have fallen.

It seems only a matter of time until the Taliban once again rules in Afghanistan.

The latest news is as follows:

• The Taliban is murdering Afghan military pilots, prompting many to quit

• The Afghan government has replaced its Army Chief, following major defeats

• More than 1,000 civilians have been killed in a month, according to the UN

• There are allegations of girls as young as twelve being taken by Taliban fighters and forced into marriage

• U.S. President Joe Biden has said he does not regret withdrawing forces, a process which started under his predecessor, Donald Trump

• Afghanistan’s Finance Minister has quit and left the country as the country’s finances and security continues to deteriorate.

So What Happens Next?

The alleged behaviour and atrocities of Taliban forces will make both Democrats and Republicans in Washington D.C. feel uneasy.

Can anyone really trust the Taliban when it says it won’t allow terrorism to flourish?

Soon, Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital and largest city may fall to the Taliban.

It seems inevitable that the acting Afghan government will fall.

The China Factor

The Taliban is eager for political recognition following its territorial gains.

China, the region’s superpower is crucial for accomplishing this aim.

Recently, Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met with Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Wi. China also hosted Taliban representatives in 2019 and both parties are thought to maintain unofficial links through Pakistan.

China will be happy to see U.S. bases dismantled by its border.

However, it will be concerned about potential chaos in the region, which could provide shelter for Uyghur militants from China’s western Xinjiang province, where China maintains internment camps mostly for Muslim minorities, according to The Guardian.

So China may pin its hopes on the Taliban for the sake of regional security. It may also see commercial opportunities in the country, allowing it to extend its influence in the region.

China interest may work in the best interests of the U.S. Both nations share a common interest in stopping terror groups from operating in Afghanistan.

But that is no consolation for those currently fleeing in terror, being murdered and suffering human rights abuses, which have allegedly taken place.

The Fate of Women

Women were brutally oppressed under previous Taliban rule. Girls were forbidden from being educated and human trafficking was ripe.

Should the Taliban regain control of the country, it will signal a giant step backwards for women after so much progress had taken place.

This should not be ignored and sadly we may hear of many injustices in the coming months and years.