“We’re going to see death on a large scale” | Afghanistan under the Taliban, with John Simpson

Afghanistan is “already starving”. John Simpson warns of death from starvation “on a large scale” as he speaks on what life in Afghanistan is like under Taliban rule.

BBC world affairs editor John Simpson speaks on how life under the Taliban in Afghanistan compares with the last time the regime was in power, where the country is getting aid from, and how the rest of the world should engage with Afghanistan.

Since Kabul fell to the Taliban in August, the changes in Afghanistan have been dramatic. The US and other foreign military forces withdrew. International donors froze transfers of aid. As a result, many people’s salaries are going unpaid, with repercussions throughout the economy. Although girls are allowed to attend primary school after the age of about 12, they must stay home. Female university students are not allowed to pursue their education. Meanwhile, much of the country is in drought, putting further pressure on food supplies after a poor harvest.

John Simpson joins the New Statesman's international managing editor Alix Kroeger to discuss his recent visit to Afghanistan now that the Taliban as taken control of the country. They examine the threat that starvation poses to the populace in Kabul and beyond, the prevalence of protests for issues such as women's education as well as the role of countries such as China in the region.

Read the full article by John Simpson here: