Taliban eyes again riding roughshod over ‘graveyard of empires’
The Taliban is growing more confident of returning to power in Afghanistan, controlling more territory currently than at any time since it was toppled in 2001
15 September 2019 - 07:43
Kabul — For many Afghans like Zohra Atifi, whose husband was killed under Taliban rule, the US invasion in 2001 marked a chance to start over after living under an oppressive regime.
Yet 18 years later, after the US spent nearly $900bn and more than 147,000 people have died, the Taliban are growing more confident of returning to power. The militant group controls or contests half of the country, more territory than any time since they were toppled in 2001. And they’ve come close to a deal with the US that could give them even more power, even after President Donald Trump abruptly put the talks on hold...
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