Afghanistan Country Report

Afghanistan is a landlocked mountainous country with more than two-thirds of the territory covered by the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range. The Taliban effectively took control of nearly all of the country in August 2021 following a prolonged insurgency. Political uncertainty, terrorist attacks, and a general state of instability pose extreme threats to foreign interests in Afghanistan.

The Afghan economy, which had primarily relied on funds acquired through international development assistance, has struggled due to the Taliban takeover, COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing violence. Poverty and unemployment have increased in recent years. Continued violence and possible trade disruptions at border crossings will likely negatively impact the economy. Corruption in the public and private sectors remains endemic to the point where it threatens to undermine gains made in the fledgling economy. Successive wars have ravaged much of Afghanistan's infrastructure, which remains severely underdeveloped outside Kabul.

Security conditions remain volatile following the Taliban takeover of August 2021. Anti-Taliban guerilla activity is possible in parts of the country, especially in and around the Panjshir Valley. Although the Taliban has generally refrained from attacking foreign nationals or development projects following their takeover, the group’s political and operational stances could shift quickly.

Criminal activity is rampant and often intertwined with opium trafficking and general impoverishment. Robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping for ransom occur in many areas of the country. Bandit activity is widespread on routes between major cities, and criminals have ambushed convoys and single vehicles, including public buses.

High-profile attacks happen with some frequency within Kabul, highlighting the capability of militants to operate in comparatively high-security environments. Militants have often explicitly targeted foreign interests. The Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-K), continues to have some capabilities, especially in and around Nangarhar Province, and has staged high-profile attacks in the east and Kabul targeting security interests, as well as Shia Muslims. IS-K has demonstrated the ability to carry out large-scale bombings and complex attacks in the capital and several other major cities.

Unrest also occurs periodically over various issues, particularly around regional development and security issues, and can cause significant disruptions, including in Kabul. Protests can take place spontaneously and escalate quickly into violence. Militants have occasionally targeted demonstrations with bombings.

Air travel options into Afghanistan are limited and there are significant safety concerns regarding domestic airlines Ariana and KamAir due to insufficient regulatory oversight in the country's civil aviation industry. Overland travel is also fraught with dangers, including poorly maintained roads, erratic driving by some local road users and the presence of various militia factions and bandits.

There is a growing threat from cyber-crime, with attacks believed to have targeted Afghan government and military websites. Companies with government contracts could be targeted in order to gain entry into the systems of state-controlled industries and government agencies.

Utilities provision is generally inadequate outside of Kabul and infrastructure is poorly maintained. Electricity generation and transmission infrastructure is generally inadequate and outages occur with some frequency in major urban centers outside of Kabul while many parts of the country have very low electrification rates.

Afghanistan is one of the most heavily-mined countries in the world and the perilous security situation has prevented extensive de-mining successes, although many projects have been carried out. The country is also located in a seismically active region and the northeast regions are prone to significant earthquakes, which can result in casualties and severe infrastructural damage due to poor building standards. Afghanistan is prone to flooding during heavy rainfall periods and rapid snowmelt, especially along rivers due to the steep slopes at the headwaters. Avalanches and landslides are frequent in the mountainous north, attributable to melting snowfall, heavy rain, and seismic activity. Avalanches and landslides can cause fatalities and block roads for weeks or months. Dust storms and strong winds can also disrupt travel and operations in some rural areas.

Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria are present across much of Afghanistan and prophylaxis is recommended if traveling between the months of April and December. Well-equipped medical facilities are rare, particularly outside of Kabul, and travelers in rural areas could find themselves several hours from any emergency medical services. Pharmacies regularly exhaust supplies of certain medications and some prescription pharmaceuticals may not be available. Tap water is not considered safe for drinking.

Afghanistan is effectively under Taliban control as an “Islamic Emirate.” Maulvi Abdul Kabir serves as the caretaker prime minister effective May 2023. However, Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada based in Kandahar, is widely regarded as the highest decision-making authority. The Taliban also announced a ban on political parties in August 2023, citing they do not have basis in the group's interpretation of Islamic law. The move effectively disbanded over 70 registered parties across the country.