How has the landscape of terrorism in Afghanistan evolved over the years, particularly in the post-9/11 era?

The landscape of terrorism in Afghanistan has evolved significantly over the years, particularly in the post-9/11 era. Here is a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Pre-9/11 Era: Prior to the 9/11 attacks, Afghanistan was primarily under the control of the Taliban, a fundamentalist group that harbored Al-Qaeda, the group responsible for the 9/11 attacks. During this time, terrorism in Afghanistan was largely characterized by the Taliban's strict enforcement of Sharia law and their violent suppression of opposition.

2. Post-9/11 Invasion: After the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan with the aim of dismantling Al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power. This led to a shift in the terrorism landscape as the Taliban was driven into hiding and a new government was established.

3. Insurgency Period: Despite the initial success of the invasion, the Taliban and other insurgent groups like the Haqqani network and Hezb-e-Islami began to regroup and launch attacks against the new government and foreign forces. This period saw an increase in suicide bombings, IED attacks, and complex assaults.

4. Emergence of ISIS: In 2015, a new player emerged in the terrorism landscape in Afghanistan - ISIS. The group established a branch known as ISIS-K (Khorasan Province) and began to carry out attacks, adding a new dimension to the conflict.

5. Peace Talks and Taliban Resurgence: In recent years, there have been attempts at peace talks between the U.S., the Afghan government, and the Taliban. However, these have been complicated by ongoing violence and the Taliban's refusal to recognize the Afghan government. The U.S. withdrawal in 2021 has led to a rapid resurgence of the Taliban, leading to a shift in the terrorism landscape once again.

6. Current Situation: Today, the situation remains volatile. The Taliban has taken control over most of the country, including the capital, Kabul. The future of terrorism in Afghanistan is uncertain, with concerns about the potential resurgence of Al-Qaeda and the ongoing presence of ISIS-K.

This is a broad overview and the situation is complex and fluid, with many internal and external factors at play.