The Afghanistan war, a conflict that has spanned decades, has taken on new dimensions since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces. As of March 2025, the country faces a multifaceted internal conflict, with the Taliban struggling to consolidate control amid challenges from the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), the Panjshir resistance, and the enduring opium trade. The Afghanistan war has not only deepened the country’s humanitarian crisis but also heightened the threat of terrorism, both within its borders and globally. From the rugged valleys of Panjshir to the poppy fields of Helmand, Afghanistan remains a battleground where power, ideology, and profit collide.
Historical Context: A Legacy of Conflict
The Afghanistan war has its roots in the late 20th century, beginning with the Soviet invasion in 1979, which triggered a decade-long conflict and gave rise to the mujahideen, supported by the US, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The Soviet withdrawal in 1989 left a power vacuum, leading to civil war and the Taliban’s rise to power in 1996. The US-led invasion in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks, ousted the Taliban but initiated a 20-year insurgency that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. The 2021 Doha Agreement, which facilitated the US withdrawal, paved the way for the Taliban’s rapid takeover, but it also set the stage for new conflicts. The Taliban’s return to power was met with resistance from groups like the National Resistance Front (NRF) in Panjshir, while ISKP emerged as a deadly rival, exploiting the chaos to launch terrorist attacks. The opium trade, a key economic driver, has further complicated the conflict, funding armed groups and perpetuating instability.
Taliban: A Fractured Rule
Since seizing Kabul in August 2021, the Taliban has struggled to govern a nation ravaged by war and economic collapse. The group’s promises of moderation have largely been unfulfilled, with strict policies—such as banning girls from secondary education and restricting women’s rights—drawing global condemnation. Internally, the Taliban faces significant challenges, including factional infighting between hardliners and pragmatists. In 2024, tensions within the Taliban leadership led to the purge of several senior figures, weakening its cohesion. The group has also failed to deliver basic services, with 90% of Afghans facing food insecurity in 2025, according to the World Food Programme. The Taliban’s inability to address these issues has fueled discontent, providing fertile ground for rival groups like ISKP and the Panjshir resistance to gain traction.
ISKP: A Growing Terrorist Threat
The Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), an affiliate of the Islamic State, has emerged as a major player in the Afghanistan war, posing a significant threat to both the Taliban and the broader region. ISKP, which operates primarily in eastern provinces like Nangarhar and Kunar, has capitalized on the Taliban’s governance failures, recruiting disaffected Taliban fighters and local youth. The group has carried out a series of high-profile terrorist attacks, targeting civilians, religious minorities, and Taliban officials. In January 2025, an ISKP suicide bombing at a mosque in Kabul killed 45 people, including a senior Taliban cleric, highlighting the group’s deadly reach. ISKP’s attacks often target Shia communities, such as the Hazara, exacerbating sectarian tensions. The group’s propaganda, disseminated through Telegram and other platforms, has also inspired lone-wolf attacks abroad, with a 2024 ISKP-linked attack in Moscow killing 15 people, raising fears of Afghanistan becoming a hub for global terrorism.
Panjshir Resistance: A Beacon of Defiance
The Panjshir resistance, led by the National Resistance Front (NRF) under Ahmad Massoud, has been a thorn in the Taliban’s side since 2021. Panjshir, a mountainous valley north of Kabul, has a storied history of resistance, having repelled both Soviet and Taliban forces in the past. The NRF, composed of former Afghan National Army soldiers and local militias, has waged a guerrilla campaign against the Taliban, launching hit-and-run attacks and ambushes. In 2024, the NRF briefly recaptured parts of Panjshir, but a Taliban counteroffensive, supported by Al-Qaeda fighters, forced them back into the mountains. As of March 2025, the Panjshir resistance continues to operate, though its limited resources and lack of international support have constrained its effectiveness. The NRF has called for a decentralized government and greater rights for ethnic minorities, but the Taliban has rejected negotiations, labeling the group as terrorists.
Terrorism: A Regional and Global Concern
Terrorism remains a defining feature of the Afghanistan war, with both ISKP and the Taliban contributing to the threat. While the Taliban has sought to distance itself from global jihad, its ties to Al-Qaeda remain a concern. A 2023 UN report confirmed that Al-Qaeda maintains training camps in Afghanistan, with senior leaders operating under Taliban protection. The Taliban’s failure to curb ISKP has also allowed the group to expand its operations, targeting neighboring countries like Pakistan and Tajikistan. In 2024, ISKP claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing over 50 people. The presence of multiple terrorist groups in Afghanistan has raised fears of the country becoming a safe haven for global jihadist networks, a concern that has prompted increased US drone strikes, with 10 ISKP leaders killed in 2024, though these operations have also caused civilian casualties, further alienating the population.
Opium Trade: Fueling the Conflict
The opium trade has long been a key driver of the Afghanistan war, providing funding for armed groups and perpetuating instability. Afghanistan produces 80% of the world’s illicit opium, with poppy cultivation concentrated in provinces like Helmand and Kandahar. The Taliban, which banned opium production in 2022, has struggled to enforce the ban, with cultivation increasing by 32% in 2024, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The opium trade generates an estimated $2.7 billion annually, with the Taliban taxing farmers and traffickers to fund its operations. ISKP has also entered the trade, using drug profits to finance its terrorist activities. The opium trade has not only fueled the conflict but also deepened Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, with addiction rates soaring—over 3 million Afghans are estimated to be addicted to opiates, exacerbating poverty and health challenges.
Humanitarian Crisis: A Nation on the Brink
The Afghanistan war has unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe, with 28 million people—two-thirds of the population—requiring assistance in 2025, according to the UN. The Taliban’s mismanagement, coupled with international sanctions and the freezing of $9 billion in Afghan assets, has collapsed the economy, leaving 97% of Afghans below the poverty line. Food insecurity is rampant, with 6 million people facing famine-like conditions. Women and girls have been disproportionately affected, with the Taliban’s restrictions on education and employment pushing many into destitution. The conflict has also displaced over 4 million people internally, with many living in makeshift camps lacking basic services. Humanitarian aid, while critical, has been hampered by the Taliban’s interference, with reports of aid being diverted to Taliban loyalists or sold on the black market.
Regional and Global Implications
The Afghanistan war has significant implications for the region and the world. Neighboring countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Tajikistan face security threats from ISKP and the spillover of refugees, with over 1 million Afghans fleeing since 2021. Pakistan, which hosts 1.3 million Afghan refugees, has seen a surge in attacks by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an ally of the Afghan Taliban, straining relations between the two countries. Iran has deported over 500,000 Afghan migrants in 2024, citing security concerns, while Central Asian states worry about the spread of terrorism across their borders. Globally, the Afghanistan war has heightened concerns about the resurgence of Al-Qaeda and ISKP, with Western intelligence agencies warning of potential attacks in Europe and the US. The opium trade also fuels the global drug market, contributing to addiction and crime worldwide.
Path Forward: A Daunting Challenge
Ending the Afghanistan war requires addressing the complex interplay of political, economic, and security challenges. The Taliban must engage with groups like the Panjshir resistance and address the grievances of ethnic minorities to achieve lasting stability, but its rigid ideology makes this unlikely. International pressure, including targeted sanctions and diplomatic engagement, could push the Taliban toward inclusivity, but the lack of recognition by the global community has limited leverage. Countering ISKP and other terrorist groups will require sustained intelligence-sharing and military cooperation, though this must be balanced with efforts to minimize civilian harm. Addressing the opium trade demands alternative livelihoods for farmers, a long-term goal that requires significant investment. Above all, the humanitarian crisis must be prioritized, with increased funding for aid and pressure on the Taliban to allow unhindered access for relief organizations.
The Afghanistan war, with the Taliban, ISKP, and Panjshir resistance at its core, continues to cast a long shadow over the country and the world. Terrorism and the opium trade fuel the conflict, while millions suffer in silence. Can Afghanistan find a path to peace, or will it remain a crucible of violence? Stay informed on this evolving crisis and its global impact.