The Return of the Taliban in Afghanistan : A Critical Assessment

Pathways to war are much easier than the pathways to peace. The people of Afghanistan would know this truism, probably more than the rest of the world, because of their sheer experience with war, almost uninterruptedly since 1979. That would be four decades long! Afghanis born during the Soviet invasion of the country would now be in their forties. Given that the life expectancy is slightly over 65 years (2021 estimate), it would mean that, on average, Afghanis had spent nearly two-thirds of their lives in conflict and war. Indeed, for many, it would be their entire life! What can one expect from people with such traumatic experiences? Probably, extremes, either negatively if the new kid in the block provides them with no space and throttles them by their throat or positively if the bulk of the people can find space to breathe, think, and pursue their life without fear and prejudices of yesteryears. This would require time, patience, and, above all, an understanding of the victims in Afghanistan. The book assesses the milieu in which the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan twenty years back, their return now, and the possible impact in the region and beyond, including Bangladesh. The objective of the book is not to reach certainties but to invite meaningful discussions without prejudices.