In a significant and potentially disruptive move, the US House of Representatives has passed an amendment to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), instructing the Secretary of Defense to share intelligence with former Afghan army and police units — and others designated as resistance forces — to counter the Taliban.

Almost simultaneously, President Donald Trump (Sept 18) declared his intent to reclaim Afghanistan's Bagram Air Base, citing its strategic proximity to China's nuclear facilities:

"We're trying to get it back because they (Taliban) need things from us... It's an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons."

These developments mark a new phase of US re-engagement in Afghan geopolitics, following years of hard posturing toward China, India and others. Washington seems poised to reassert influence in the region, potentially complicating matters for the Taliban regime. Concerns about China's growing influence in the region, counterterrorism and desire to access rare minerals seem to be driving the Trump administration's reengagement with the Taliban.

Will this conditional re-engagement lead to recognition of the regime, help stabilise Afghanistan economically or fuel further instability in an already fragile region?

Taliban Rule: Peace, Control, But Isolation

Since August 2021, the Taliban have faced no serious domestic opposition and now control most of Afghanistan, from Badakhshan to Kandahar, including key regions like Paktia, Paktika and Nangarhar. While the regime has restored basic........

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