As the Taliban marks five years since their return to power in Afghanistan, the international community is grappling with the question of whether the West still has any leverage to influence the regime's actions. The Taliban's swift takeover in 2021 caught many off guard, and since then, the group has tightened its grip on the country, imposing harsh restrictions on women's rights, suppressing dissent, and fostering a culture of fear. With the Taliban's relationship with the West at an all-time low, the question on everyone's mind is: what, if anything, can the international community do to persuade the Taliban to change its ways? As diplomats and policymakers scramble to find a way forward, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the clock is ticking.
Five years after the Taliban swept to power, many are asking whether the West has any bargaining chips left
