For most of the three years since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, their erasure of women’s rights appeared to be setting them on course for near-total isolation in the world.
Western and Islamic countries alike condemned the group’s most extreme strictures, particularly on girls’ education. Messages by Taliban officials that their government was eager to engage with the world were ignored. To this day, no country officially recognizes the Taliban as the lawful authorities in Afghanistan.
However, in recent months, the political winds have begun to shift in the Taliban’s favor.
Dozens of countries have welcomed Taliban diplomats, with some sending high-ranking officials to Kabul to build diplomatic ties and secure trade and investment deals. Taliban officials have also won temporary reprieves from travel bans, and discussions have emerged regarding the potential removal of the group from international terrorist lists.
This diplomatic activity reflects a subtle but significant shift toward normalizing the Taliban as political leaders rather than treating them as insurgents. It also indicates a growing consensus among world leaders that the Taliban government is likely to remain in power.
In January, China became the first country to formally welcome a Taliban diplomat as Afghanistan’s ambassador, a title typically reserved for envoys from formally recognized nations. The United Arab Emirates followed suit in August.
Many experts view these moves as steps toward the eventual formal recognition of the Taliban’s government by both countries.
Additionally, in August, Uzbekistan sent its prime minister to Kabul, marking the highest-level foreign visit to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power. The Russian Foreign Ministry has also indicated that it is considering removing the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organizations, which would make it the first country to do so.
Taliban officials have also made gains in another contested political arena: Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions worldwide. Following the collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan government in 2021, its diplomats continued to operate the country’s embassies and consulates, often lobbying against the Taliban.
However, last month, the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that approximately 40 Afghan embassies and consulates now report to its government. This control over diplomatic missions signifies the Taliban government’s authority in Afghanistan and provides the group with a voice in countries where many top Taliban leaders are restricted due to international travel bans.
Western countries have been at the forefront of denouncing the Taliban’s treatment of women, aiming to pressure the group into reversing some of its most contentious policies.
American officials have maintained strict positions on women’s rights, stating that the United States will not lift sanctions or remove Taliban officials from its blacklists until restrictions are eased.
Nonetheless, the United States has become somewhat isolated in its stance. As Taliban officials have made it clear that they will not yield to outside pressure, more European leaders and international organizations have begun to accept the limitations of their influence and engage on issues where they can find common ground.
In June, U.N. officials managed to secure the Taliban’s attendance at a conference on Afghanistan by postponing discussions on women’s rights, after the Taliban had previously declined to attend two similar U.N. conferences.
In recent months, Afghan embassies and consulates across Europe have faced increasing pressure from host countries to recognize the Taliban government. The Afghan embassies in Britain and Norway closed last month, with the ambassador to Britain, appointed by the previous U.S.-backed government, stating that the closure was “at the official request of the host country.”
European leaders are motivated to engage with the Taliban due to concerns about potential waves of Afghan migrants entering Europe amid turmoil in Afghanistan, as well as fears of terrorism emanating from the region.
The growing diplomatic acceptance has created trade and investment opportunities, providing much-needed financial support since the collapse of the U.S.-backed government.
Over the past year, the Taliban has issued numerous contracts to exploit the country’s mineral resources. Regional private companies have also secured deals to develop infrastructure across Afghanistan, linking Central and South Asian trade routes, which could help revive the economy and bolster the Taliban's public standing.
However, this new diplomatic embrace has also reduced the pressure on the Taliban to reverse restrictions on women, representing a significant victory for the group but a major setback for many Afghan women.