August 09, 2021
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.
From Your Site Articles
- Taliban takeover embarrassing for Biden; political impact of wildfires - GZERO Media ›
- What does a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan actually mean? - GZERO Media ›
- The US can advance democracy without being the world's sheriff - GZERO Media ›
- The fallout from US Afghanistan withdrawal: a Marine's perspective - GZERO Media ›
- US Afghanistan withdrawal: a “digital Dunkirk” - GZERO Media ›
- Petraeus on the Afghanistan crisis - GZERO Media ›
More For You
- YouTube
Ukraine is bringing the war to Russia, reshaping the battlefield and raising new questions about whether the momentum is finally shifting away from Vladimir Putin. In this GZERO World conversation with Ian Bremmer, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba explains why Ukraine believes it has changed the dynamics of the conflict.
Most Popular
Think you know what's going on around the world? Here's your chance to prove it.
Sonam Wangchuk has long campaigned for the reform of India’s corrupt and inefficient system of entrance exams for higher education.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a session at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, before it dissolves ahead of the 2026 Israeli elections, in Jerusalem, Israel, on July 16, 2026.
REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
Israel’s parliament affirmed that the country will hold a national election on Oct. 27.
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.
