Publication

This publication examines the situation in Afghanistan against the background of the coronavirus pandemic. The author contends that as the Afghan government attempts to deal with the pandemic with its overstretched health service sector, the Taliban seem to be exploiting this opportunity to win the ‘hearts and minds’ of the Afghans. On one front, the group has continued to carry out incessant attacks on civilians and, on the other, it is amenable to let healthcare workers provide services in areas under its control. The text’s author suggests that as the situation worsens, the Taliban are likely to use this space to improve their bargaining strategy and acceptability not only with the Afghans but also with the international community.