Taliban's Grip on Afghanistan Unravels Amid Internal Strife, Economic Mismanagement, and International Isolation

Since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban's regime faces collapse due to internal fractures, economic mismanagement, and governance failures. Multiple factions are engaged in a power struggle rooted in ethnic, tribal, and ideological fault lines, with Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada struggling to maintain control. The Taliban's economic mismanagement has led to rising inflation and rampant unemployment, while their extreme social policies have resulted in international isolation. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for senior Taliban leaders, further undermining Akhundzada's authority and fueling divisions within the movement. The international community is urged to act strategically by sustaining diplomatic and legal pressure, restructuring aid to bypass the regime, and engaging with opposition groups to foster internal pressure on the Taliban.