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Opinion | How the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan raises the terrorism threat across South Asia
- Reports show the Taliban are sheltering al-Qaeda affiliates and commanders, with a real danger of a swell in terrorist activity beyond the country
- Surging radicalisation and space for Pan-Islamic terror groups stretching across the region could also threaten China
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The Taliban have swept through most of Afghanistan in less than a week as US forces rushed to leave the country. Fighters have now taken over the presidential palace, and President Ashraf Ghani has fled abroad, leaving his government in ruins.
The re-emergence of the Taliban could once again create a grave security threat for Afghanistan, which would affect neighbouring countries and many parts of South Asia.
In April, US President Joe Biden declared that all US and Nato forces would leave Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The unilateral decision to quit the country gave Taliban leaders a chance to retake full control.
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However, US officials have been shocked by the speed at which Taliban fighters have done so, as Afghan forces trained by the United States and other nations at a cost of billions of dollars just melted away.
With Taliban military advances, conflict cannot be contained. Several reports show the Taliban have been sheltering affiliates and commanders of al-Qaeda, leading to a real danger of a swell in terrorist activity beyond Afghanistan.
04:07
Taliban takes control of Afghan capital Kabul as President Ghani flees country
Taliban takes control of Afghan capital Kabul as President Ghani flees country
The return of Taliban rule is a headache for South Asia, given the threat of surging radicalisation and renewed space for Pan-Islamic terror groups in the region.
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