Afghanistan: return of the Taliban

With the Taliban's dramatic seizure of power following the abrupt end of NATO's 20-year mission, Afghanistan is drifting into an uncertain political future.

It is more than unclear whether a peaceful and inclusive transition can be negotiated that takes into account the complexities of interests, or whether violence and chaos will define the years ahead. Even more unpredictable are the possible effects of Taliban domination on Afghan civil society, women's rights and human rights.

The current power vacuum and the resulting great uncertainty among the people of Afghanistan will also have an impact on refugee movements to neighboring countries in the region and to Europe.

Above all, the question remains open as to how the complex political constellation will influence the international geopolitical structure in the long term. The international project "Nationbuilding Afghanistan" seems to have failed for the time being - the need for a reappraisal of the causes and possible consequences is great.

In addition to current developments and debates in Afghanistan, the region and Europe, this dossier also contains previously published articles from the program work of the Heinrich Böll Foundation and its partners in Afghanistan, which, in retrospect, illustrate the difficulties and undesirable developments of recent years.