That the Taliban survived a global counterinsurgency and returned to power to become the de facto government in Afghanistan is nothing short of a spectacular success for a nonstate armed group. At one point in 2009, the United States-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan included troops from 42 countries – including Nato members and allies such as Australia, Sweden, the Republic of Macedonia and others.
Afghanistan: The Taliban cannot govern alone
History shows that foreign aid will be key to establishing stability and legitimacy, writes Hameed Hakimi
