South Asia Times (SAT), in collaboration with the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), is pleased to announce a Roundtable Discussion marking five years since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. The discussion will bring together policy experts, analysts, and journalists to examine the trajectory of Taliban rule, the challenges confronting the Afghan state and its people, and the possible paths forward for the country and the wider region.
Five years on, Afghanistan’s political, economic, and security landscape continues to evolve in ways that carry significant consequences not only for its own population but for regional stability and the broader international community. The period has been marked by shifting governance structures, humanitarian pressures, questions over international recognition, and an uncertain economic outlook, all of which continue to shape the country’s domestic trajectory and its engagement with neighbours and global powers.
Against this backdrop, our Roundtable Discussion aims to bring together leading voices to unpack the complexities of this transition. Panelists from diverse fields will offer nuanced perspectives on governance under Taliban rule, humanitarian and economic conditions on the ground, regional security dynamics, and the diplomatic calculations shaping Afghanistan’s relations with the world.
From internal governance and human rights concerns to regional security implications and the prospects for diplomatic engagement, the discussion will cover a wide range of themes essential to understanding Afghanistan’s present moment and what lies ahead. Through expert presentations, open discussion, and audience engagement, the roundtable seeks to deepen understanding of a pivotal chapter in the region’s recent history.
Event Format
The Roundtable Discussion will feature presentations and discussion on the above themes, followed by an interactive Q&A session. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the panelists, ask questions, and contribute to the conversation.