Afghanistan in May 2026: the most important developments in politics
Afghanistan in May 2026 saw the Taliban government expand its dealings with foreign governments, most visibly in Europe. Late in the month the Taliban sought to send diplomats to European Union countries. Earlier, on 12 May, the EU said it planned talks with the Taliban in Brussels on the deportation and repatriation of Afghan migrants, which drew criticism. Germany was reported to be cooperating with Taliban diplomats on deportations, and Germany's Greens accused the Interior Minister of upgrading the Taliban government through these contacts.
Russia moved further in the same direction. In mid-May it was reported to be building full relations with the Taliban and urging other countries to do likewise, and on 30 May Russia signed a military cooperation deal with the Taliban government.
The Taliban's ties with its neighbour Pakistan featured as well. Pakistan summoned an Afghan diplomat over a deadly suicide attack, and Pakistan's ambassador said outside forces had tried to drive a wedge between Islamabad and Kabul. Taliban leaders also contacted the Pakistani politician Fazl to express condolences over the killing of a cleric in Charsadda. On 21 May, a new Taliban decree on marriage separation drew criticism from the United Nations.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
Click a day in the chart above for that day's brief.