Resurgence of Taliban in Afghanistan: A Global Threat to Human Rights, Security and Democracy

Author : Dr Dileep Kumar Maurya

Abstract :The Taliban controlled most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. In October 2001, U.S. and allied forces invaded the country in the wake of Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attack. Following the U.S.-led invasion, Taliban leadership relocated to southern Afghanistan and from where they waged an insurgency against the Western-backed government in Kabul, Afghan National Security Forces (ANDSF), and international coalition troops. When the U.S.-led coalition formally ended its combat mission in 2014, the ANDSF was put in charge of Afghanistan’s security. The forces faced significant challenges in holding territory and defending its citizens, because of continuing attacks and suicidal attempts rural districts and in major cities along with resurgence of coups. With these Afghanistan poses a significant threat to global democracy, stability, and human rights. The Taliban’s return to power after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August 2021. The Taliban rapidly regained control of the country and formed a militant Islamic Government in Kabul. The militant government steadily reimposed its strict interpretation of sharia-based law throughout the country, including public executions, amputations, and flogging. Therefore, this study investigates the global and regional dimensions of the coup phenomenon by examines the role of institutions, corruption, poverty, economic instability, inequality etc. contributing complex interplay of internal and external factors, its consequences, and implications for regional and global security. The resurgence of Taliban in Afghanistan underscores the fragility of democratic transitions. This paper also attempts to study role of international cooperation and support for democratic institutions, which are essential to safeguarding Afghanistan’s democratic gains.

Keywords :Afghanistan, Taliban, Democracy, Human Rights, Security.

Conference Name :International Conference on Contemporary Asian Studies and Asian History (ICCASAH-25)

Conference Place Hamburg, Germany

Conference Date 17th Jun 2025