Two Years Later: Life in Afghanistan since the Fall of Kabul

The fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, led to the collapse of Afghanistan’s democratic government and an exodus of talented Afghans.  Two years later, the political space is dominated by the Taliban. Citizens’ rights – and especially women’s rights – have been sharply curtailed.

At the same time, Afghanistan has seemingly settled into an uneasy peace, with a somewhat functioning state. How much space do citizens have to advocate for their needs?

The International Republican Institute (IRI) will host a roundtable discussion to recount the panelists’ recent experiences in Afghanistan, analyze current Afghan politics, and society, and explore the future of politics, civil society, and human rights under Taliban rule. Two of the panelists just returned from Afghanistan and they will share their first-hand observations.