Afghanistan
Just 13 of the Most Surreal Pictures From 2021
From blue dogs and giant dick ships, to Taliban fighters at the fair and a world leader encased in a giant box, 2021 was a weird one.
The Secret Lives of Afghanistan’s Women Soldiers
Around 5,000 women served in Afghanistan’s military, police and security forces. Many of them are still in hiding, fearful of retribution from the Taliban.
‘I Lost My Future’ – What It’s Like to Flee the Taliban
Journalist Shabir Ahmadi was among the thousands who were forced to leave their homes when Kabul fell in August of this year.
Afghan Refugee Sets Self on Fire, Others Sew Lips Shut As Desperation Rises
Afghan refugees stuck in Indonesia are staging protests in a bid for quicker resettlement. Some have been waiting for over a decade.
The Afghan Brothers Who Have Spent 9 Years Trying To Kill Each Other
Nangyal and his younger brother Noori were inseparable when they were kids. But then Nangyal joined the Afghan National Army, and Noori joined the Taliban.
‘I Must Face the Taliban’: The Women in Kabul Keeping Their Beauty Salons Open
Some beauty salons that had photos of women painted over and stripped from the walls have reopened their doors – for now.
Hollywood Is Trying To Turn the Fall of Afghanistan Into a Feel-Good Movie
“It’s a catchy sell, ‘one man travels all the way back to Afghanistan to rescue his friend’,” an Afghan American producer and director told VICE World News.
‘I Was Completely Hopeless’: Kabul’s Secret Sex Workers Are Living in Fear
Sex work was illegal under Afghanistan’s Western-backed governments but police and officials could be bribed – now some women in Kabul fear for their lives under the Taliban.
The ‘Afghan Kardashians’ Are Going Ahead with Their Reality Show Despite Taliban Threats
With strong female leads, the Kardashian-inspired show will fly in the face of the Taliban’s repressive view of women and society.
Whistleblower Claims Kabul Evacuation Was Even Worse Than It Looked
A UK Foreign Office whistleblower sheds new light on the disastrous evacuation, including claims the UK prime minister intervened to help evacuate animals when people were still waiting at the airport.
The Taliban Thinks Banning Forced Marriage Makes Men and Women Equal. It Doesn’t.
The group banned forced marriages – but didn’t mention education or work rights. Many remain unconvinced that they will follow through.
The Taliban Are Banned by Facebook. Then Why Are They Allowed to Post?
Just one more example of Facebook’s selective community standards policy.