The Taliban has brought Afghanistan close to collapse, but resistance is growing

Five years after returning to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s rule remains as ultra-extremist as ever. Acting in the name of a self-centred version of Islam, the group has made no effort to modify its hardline ideological beliefs in favour of a more humane and inclusive approach to governing. Nor has it refrained from hosting many like-minded violent extremist groups. The United Nations has issued repeated warnings about the resurgence of terrorism from Afghanistan. The Taliban is also…