Taliban marks five years in power

Five years after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, the country marks the anniversary amid a mix of improved security and severe humanitarian and rights crises. The Taliban government, recognized only by Russia, has built working relationships with numerous countries, including China, Japan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Britain, and hosted regional officials from Central Asian states seeking trade routes. However, international recognition remains limited, and Western nations demand human rights reforms. The UN and its agencies, including UNESCO, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, UN Women, and the World Food Programme, highlight that 2.4 million girls are excluded from secondary education, the world's most severe women's rights crisis, and critical child malnutrition in a third of provinces. The International — International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani for crimes against humanity. Despite engagement, many countries restrict ties pending policy changes, and no shift is expected. The Taliban claims it has delivered security, stabilized the currency, and improved infrastructure, while critics point to the exclusion of women and girls from education and public life.