Taliban consolidates power five years after returning to Afghanistan

Five years ago, on 15 August 2021, the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan. No Western country has recognised the Taliban as the official government. Western nations say the Taliban must improve human rights and allow girls to go to school before they will consider recognition.

Despite this, the Taliban has built relationships with many regional countries. China, Russia, Turkey, India, and several Gulf states have all signed economic deals with the Taliban government. Russia has gone furthest and formally recognised the Taliban as Afghanistan's government.

International banks and companies have mostly left Afghanistan, which has cut the country off from the wider global economy. The Taliban continues to collect taxes and run government services. UN talks with the Taliban have moved very slowly and have often gone backwards.