Guardian International8/15/2026Human rights14 min read

'I married off my daughter so that none of us would die of hunger'

Quick Look

Afghanistan faces a deepening crisis 5 years after the Taliban takeover, with nearly half the population needing humanitarian aid, rampant poverty forcing child marriages, and a systematic erosion of women's rights, exacerbated by economic collapse and international aid cuts.

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Why It Matters

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 led to a humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan.

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What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Further economic deterioration and increased humanitarian needs
Very likely · Within months
Escalating geopolitical tensions with neighboring countries
Likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

What immediate solutions can be implemented to halt the economic freefall?
How will the international community respond to the Taliban's expanded international reach?