What to know about the Taliban in Afghanistan

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Under the Islamic fundamentalist group’s rule, the economy has floundered, malnutrition has soared, and more than half a million jobs have been lost. Most women and girls over 12 have been banned from working and attending school.

Taliban security personnel stand guard near the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Feb. 27, 2026.

Taliban security personnel stand guard near the Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan this year. Aimal Zahir / AFP via Getty Images

June 1, 2026, 7:58 AM EDT

By Lindsay Maizland

This article was originally published on CFR.org and updated by NBC News.

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, 20 years after their ouster by U.S. troops. Under their harsh rule, they have increasingly cracked down on women’s rights and neglected basic services.

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