Professor Michael Semple spoke to BBC Radio 4 about the future of Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.
Prof Semple spoke to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme hosts Martha Kearney and Mishal Husain on 26 August 2021. In the interview, he discusses the underlying drivers of the panic and chaos of recent days and outlines the prospects for conflict and instability as the Afghan war enters a new chapter. As the Taliban begin to impose oppressive restrictions to personal freedoms, particularly on women, he explains what everyday life might be like under Taliban rule, and the potential for civic resistance in the coming months. Listen to the full interview.
'The war is starting a new chapter': Michael Semple speaks to BBC Radio 4 on the future...
As a globally recognised expert on the Taliban movement, Prof Semple authored the PSRP report, An Independent Assessment of the Peace Process in Afghanistan, June 2018 – May 2021, as part of a team of three experienced analysts. The report is intended to contribute to the rethinking of approaches to peace-making in Afghanistan. Read the full report.
Michael Semple is a Professor at The Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, Queens University Belfast, and former deputy EU Envoy to Afghanistan. He lived in the region for more than 30 years.
Listen to the Today Programme interview here (Prof Semple’s interview excerpt appears at 2:19:30).
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