Taliban

As Taliban forces continue a sweeping offensive and are nearing the capital, trust in Afghanistan's government is dwindling despite the Afghan president's vow to prevent further instability.

The State Department is reducing the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to a "core diplomatic presence" amid the deteriorating security situation.

As of Thursday morning, the Taliban now hold 10 provincial capital cities — effectively putting them in control of two-thirds of Afghanistan.

Taliban gains in two key cities on Sunday are the latest locations to be overtaken by the group since it began a sweeping military offensive in May.

The prospect of a Taliban takeover has people inside and outside Afghanistan worried about a return to an oppressive past. As the U.S. nears a full withdrawal, those fears are rapidly growing.

President Biden defended his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan despite the Taliban gaining power and threatening the Afghan government.

The attack targeted workers clearing landmines with the HALO Trust charity. The government blamed the Taliban, who denied involvement. Afghanistan is one of the world's most heavily mined countries.

As foreign troops withdraw, the Taliban have seized parts of Afghan highways and closed in on cities. One arms dealer in the country says they're even buying heavier weaponry.

Some Kabul residents fear a Taliban takeover. Others are eager for the departure of troops they see as foreign intruders. "Afghans will have to come together and listen to each other," says a cleric.

A U.S.-backed conference with the Taliban and Afghan government was derailed, raising doubts about progress toward a negotiated settlement to end decades of war in Afghanistan.

Al-Qaida is degraded but not defeated. Analyst Colin Clarke assesses where the U.S. may be mapping out its future counterterrorism presence after withdrawing from Afghanistan.