NPR
Life in Kabul 5 years after the Taliban's return
Saturday, September 19, 2026
NPR visited Kabul to document conditions under Taliban rule five years after the group returned to power in August 2021. The reporting examined how residents are navigating restrictions implemented by the Taliban government, including rules affecting women's education, employment, and public presence. Afghanistan's economy has contracted significantly since the Taliban takeover, with international sanctions and frozen assets limiting government revenue and private sector activity.
