Five years after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, NPR traveled to Kabul to document how residents are coping with the government's strict social restrictions.
Key facts
- It has been five years since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.
- NPR visited Kabul to report on daily life under the current government.
- The reporting focuses on the Taliban's strict social restrictions.
- The story was published on September 19, 2026.
Five years after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, NPR traveled to the capital, Kabul, to examine how ordinary Afghans are living under the group’s rule, according to the outlet’s reporting published on September 19, 2026.
The central focus of the NPR report is how Afghans are dealing with what the outlet describes as the new government’s strict social restrictions. The visit marks a milestone anniversary since the change in power.
NPR’s on-the-ground reporting sought to capture the everyday realities faced by residents of Kabul in the years following the Taliban’s return, offering a snapshot of life under the current administration.
The report underscores the ongoing significance of Afghanistan’s political situation five years after a change that reshaped the country’s governance and social landscape.
As a milestone anniversary, the moment has prompted renewed attention to conditions inside Afghanistan and the ways in which its population is adapting to life under Taliban rule.
Why it matters
Afghanistan's governance and social conditions remain a major international concern five years after the Taliban's return to power. On-the-ground reporting from Kabul helps the wider world understand how ordinary Afghans are living under the current restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
How long has the Taliban been back in power in Afghanistan?
According to NPR, it has been five years since the Taliban's return to power, as of the report published on September 19, 2026.
What did NPR report on in Kabul?
NPR visited Kabul to see how Afghans are dealing with the new government's strict social restrictions.