Reflecting on the Taliban's First Year Back in Power in Afghanistan, Part 1: Exceeding Expectations

Just over a year ago, the Taliban seized control of Kabul following a rapid offensive across Afghanistan. The ensuing chaos saw the collapse of the former Afghan government and the frantic withdrawal of U.S. and U.S.-allied coalition forces from the country. In the immediate aftermath, many observers raised concerns about whether the Taliban would be able to maintain control over Afghanistan and, if so, if they would form a more inclusive and effective government compared with the prior Taliban regime that ruled over Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001. But while the group has exceeded expectations in managing certain political, diplomatic and economic issues over the past year, the Taliban face multiple constraints that will continue to threaten their hold on power, including persistent disunity and the continued dominance of hard-liners in shaping domestic policy....