Concerns grow over increased global ties with Taliban in Afghanistan

<p>Campaigners fear deeper diplomatic contacts are undermining demands for improvements in human rights </p><p>The Taliban in Afghanistan have launched a diplomatic effort to end their isolation as major regional and international powers show a readiness to engage more closely with the repressive regime despite its systematic human rights abuses.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/04/five-years-taliban-rule-afghan-women-and-girls-need-our-help">Five years after the Taliban took power</a>, an increasing number of countries are renewing ties or scaling up diplomatic contacts with the hardline Islamists, who seized power in Kabul in 2021 after 20 years of brutal insurgent warfare.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/15/concern-grow-global-ties-taliban-afghanistan-human-rights">Continue reading...</a>