Scott Mc Kiernan Presents zReportage.com Issue #1033 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY March 24, 2026: ‘Afghanistan: Cycle of Collapse’ by ZUMA Press represented Xinhua photo-journalist Saifurahman Safi: Afghanistan’s cycle of collapse is a four-decade pattern of failed regimes, foreign intervention, and rapid state breakdown. Since the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021, the central Asian country now titled ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ has faced a fallen economy, a humanitarian crisis with over 23 million people needing aid, and a strict, authoritarian Taliban regime. Women’s rights have been severely restricted, with girls banned from education beyond sixth grade and most female employment prohibited. While basic commerce continues in local bazaars, the economy is supported by international humanitarian aid and increasingly, economic engagement from China, while Western countries largely maintain sanctions. Now tensions between nuclear-armed Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban regime have sharply escalated since late February after Pakistan declared ‘Open War’ with Afghanistan heightening regional instability and raising concerns about the risk of yet another prolonged conflict. Welcome to ‘Afghanistan: Cycle of Collapse’
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