The Briefing Room

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David Aaronovitch presents in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news

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The Briefing Room: What's happening in Afghanistan?

02/06/2022

What's happening in Afghanistan?

BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room, What's happening in Afghanistan?

How are the Taliban dealing with challenges at home, on the border and further afield?

With the eyes of the world on Ukraine rather than Afghanistan, how is the Taliban coping with a nation facing food shortages, a failing economy and a bombing campaign by ISIS-K?

Last year the Taliban launched an offensive in Afghanistan that, within a matter of weeks succeeded beyond the West’s wildest nightmares. In August Kabul fell and life changed dramatically for the Afghan people. Since then they’ve faced food shortages, a failing economy and a bombing campaign launched by Afghanistan’s own ISIS, ISIS-K.  

So is it Taliban 2.0 as some people hoped? How is it dealing with its domestic challenges? And how is it managing its relationships with its neighbours and countries further afield?  

Joining David in the briefing room are:

Secunder Kermani, the BBC’s Pakistan and Afghanistan correspondent
Laurel Miller, Director of the International Crisis Group’s Asia Programme, 
Ashley Jackson, co-director of the Centre for the Study of Armed Groups at the global affairs think tank, ODI 
Ahmed Rashid, journalist and author based in Pakistan who has studied the Taliban for decades

Producers: Ben Carter and Kirsteen Knight
Editor: Richard Vadon
Studio manager: Neil Churchill
Production co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed & Sophie Hill

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