the taliban s takeover poses a major challenge for the international community. there was plenty of rhetoric at the g7 meeting earlier this week on the leverage the west might use against afghanistan s new rulers. but, after 20 years on the ground, what influence can western nations actually have, now that they re gone. here s caroline hawley. the taliban triumphant inside the presidential palace when they took kabuljust 12 days ago. its leaders are sanctioned as terrorists, but they are in charge of afghanistan now and calling the shots. as the taliban advanced through the country, western leaders had warned they would be international pariahs if they took power by force. they would be cut off from funds. now it has happened, and there is the dilemma of exactly how to respond. the g7 leaders, and the leaders of the eu, nato and the un, all agreed that we will stand united
white house says that more than 100,000 people have been evacuated since the lf began. the un warns up to half a million more afghans could flee as refugees by year end. thank you forjoining us on our bbc news special with me leads to set. the days are counted now for the very end of the us led nato military mission in afghanistan. no one would have expected it to end like this. nearly 20 years ago, when a us led invasion toppled the taliban. with that devastating attack yesterday, their double suicide bombing on kabul international airport, it is underlined again that even though it is the taliban that are in charge, it does not mean that the war is over and does not mean that peace
has been achieved. once the last us and british and other us forces leave, afghanistan will lead a new chapter. while it is a chapter of uncertainty, what is certain is that it is afghanistan s neighbours and near neighbours who will play the greatest role going forward in helping afghans to shape this new rule. we are going now to two capitals who are watching these developments closely and playing a big part. steve rosenberg is in moscow and robin brant is in shanghai. steve rosenberg, the russians were here as they pulled out the troops in 1899. in 2021, they have links with the taliban and interests in this working out. is it clear to you what the russians are doing, focusing on, in these last
international engagements, including afghanistan. how active do you think they are going to want to be in what will be their main priorities? it is not dissimilar will be their main priorities? it is not dissimilar to will be their main priorities? it is not dissimilar to the russians. beijing not dissimilar to the russians. beijing has been quick to say to things beijing has been quick to say to things and these are accurate words. it things and these are accurate words. it require things and these are accurate words. it require their sovereignty and the choice it require their sovereignty and the choice of it require their sovereignty and the choice of the afghan people when kabul choice of the afghan people when kabul fell. choice of the afghan people when kabulfell. it choice of the afghan people when kabul fell. it has also been quick to establish diplomatic relationships with the taliban. a delegation from the taliban was here injuly delegation from the taliban was
this is a very decisive moment in afghanistan, a moment of cause to look to the future and to reflect on the past. of all the mistakes and missteps over the last 20 years, progress was made. especially for a young generation of afghans. we are joined by someone who played a leading role in the political change that happened in afghanistan and someone progress when it cames to women s rights. thank you very much forjoining us here in this bbc news special. let s talk to politician and women s rights advocate shukria ba ra kzai. what is your main concern now? what is your what is at the top of your mind. is your what is at the top of your mind- is your what is at the top of our mind. ., .. , your mind. all of the achievements we made and your mind. all of the achievements we made and all your mind. all of the achievements we made and all of your mind. all of the achievements we made and all of the your mind. all of the achievements we made and all of the greatest. we