Afghanistan

After more than 40 years of near-continuous war, Afghanistan has come once again under Taliban rule. Afghanistan remains a source of regional instability due to the use of its territory by international terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda, the Islamic State-Khorasan Province, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. CSIS experts analyze the future of humanitarian work in Afghanistan and the terrorist threats emanating from the country.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Why Did Pakistan Announce “Open War” Against the Taliban?

Early in the morning of February 27, Pakistan’s defense minister announced “open war” between Pakistan and the Taliban, a group that Islamabad frequently backed in its 30-year quest to rule Afghanistan.

Critical Questions by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 27, 2026

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Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Director, Futures Lab and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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Why Did Pakistan Announce “Open War” Against the Taliban?

Early in the morning of February 27, Pakistan’s defense minister announced “open war” between Pakistan and the Taliban, a group that Islamabad frequently backed in its 30-year quest to rule Afghanistan.

Critical Questions by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 27, 2026

What Is Next After the Suicide Attack in Pakistan?

This morning, a suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan. The most likely perpetrator is the Islamic State–Khorasan Province, which operates both in Afghanistan and Pakistan but has a significant interest in mass-casualty international attacks. 

Critical Questions by Alexander Palmer and Alexander Margolis — February 6, 2026

The Future of Assistance for Afghanistan: A Dilemma

Three years after the fall of Kabul, international assistance for Afghanistan is at a crossroads. As donor fatigue sets in and aid dwindles, stakeholders must grapple with how to address the country’s critical humanitarian needs without legitimizing the Taliban’s rule.

Report by Daniel F. Runde, Annie Pforzheimer, Thomas Bryja, and Caroline Smutny — June 13, 2024

The Islamic State in Khorasan Province: Exploiting a Counterterrorism Gap

The attack on Crocus City Hall in Moscow in March 2024 demonstrates that not only is the Islamic State in Khorasan Province the Islamic State's most dangerous affiliate, but also that it has effectively exploited gaps in current international counterterrorism efforts.

Commentary by Tricia Bacon — April 11, 2024

Smart Women, Smart Power Podcast

The Establishment of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council

Kathleen McInnis sat down with Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky, the former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, at the Reagan National Defense Forum.

Podcast Episode by Kathleen McInnis — May 3, 2023

CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power

The Humanitarian Dilemma in Afghanistan

The Taliban's recent ban on female aid workers and education has put severe pressure on humanitarian organizations' ability to deliver lifesaving assistance to Afghans.

Event — March 1, 2023

The Taliban’s Increasing Restrictions on Civil Society and Aid Organizations

New Taliban restrictions on girls' education and female humanitarian workers echo the same playbook the Taliban used in the 1990s. These restrictions challenge the United States and other stakeholders to implement new strategies.

Critical Questions by ​Marti Flacks, Lauren Burke Preputnik, and Nicolas Jude Larnerd — February 16, 2023