In power, the Taliban’s divisions are coming to the fore
Ideological differences and bored fighters are creating headaches for its leaders
AFGHANISTAN’S PRESIDENTIAL palace has seen its fair share of bad-tempered quarrels between politicians. In recent years the castle-like building in the centre of Kabul was the site of bitter spats between the irascible former president, Ashraf Ghani, and his rival, Abdullah Abdullah. Mr Ghani is said to have taken anger-management classes. At one point he and Dr Abdullah held rival inauguration ceremonies as they disagreed over who should rule. Yet even by those fractious standards, the Taliban’s recent bust-up seems to have been heated.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “A delicate balance”
From the October 2nd 2021 edition
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