The Taliban have made massive territorial gains in Afghanistan since the Biden administration announced that it would withdraw all US forces by September of this year. In many instances, Afghan security forces have abandoned their bases and handed over territory rather than confront Taliban fighters directly. Recently, Taliban militants gained control of major crossings, including the Islam Qala crossing between Afghanistan and Iran, which generates $20 million in monthly revenue for the Afghan government, as well as the critical Wesh-Chaman border crossing with Pakistan. With the US withdrawal already more than 90 percent complete, the Taliban already control more than half of all Afghan districts. So as the last few US forces prepare to leave, we take a look at who controls what in Afghanistan. Spoiler: it's a significantly different state of play from when we last mapped it out two years ago.
More from GZERO Media
The move expands the Trump Administration's free speech clashes to Brazil, raising tensions between the two largest economies in the Americas.
All presidents issue executive orders, but in the first month of his second presidency, Trump has been signing them like they're going out of style.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 18, 2025.
The Trump administration is moving to expand presidential authority over key independent regulatory agencies that were set up to be guarded from the executive’s influence.
“There is a sort of doubt about freedom of expression here or protection of free speech in Europe,” says Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament.
Hard Numbers: Pentagon to plan for cuts, Germany comes up late, Manila issues mosquito bounties, Hamas releases more hostages
The war of words between US President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky has hit a new low, with Trump labeling the Ukrainian president a “dictator” who “has done a terrible job.”
German conservative CDU candidate for chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a campaign event in Vechta, Germany, on Feb. 19, 2025.
The CDU/CSU is very likely to win, making Friedrich Merz the country’s new chancellor. But he’s likely to lead a coalition government with a weak mandate, in part because he has vowed to reject any cooperation with the AfD.
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya joins GZERO Reports to discuss the fight against Lukashenko’s dictatorship, Belarus’ ties to Russia, and why she believes her country’s future depends on Ukraine’s victory.
A Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Harbin Z-9 helicopter sits on CNS Yulin during a display of warships ahead of an exhibition at Changi Naval Base in Singapore on May 18, 2015.
A Chinese naval helicopter flew nearly 10 feet from a Philippine patrol plane on Tuesday over a contested reef in the South China Sea, escalating tensions with Manila and Washington in the airspace over international waterways Beijing claims as its own.
Electricity is becoming crucial to a net-zero transition. It contributes to around 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the demand is only increasing. A new Bank of America Institute analysis explores the solutions provided by nuclear — as well as the regulatory, supply chain, and financial risks.