Countering Extremism: Extremism as a Global Challenge, Political Projects, and the Digital Age In this episode of the Bareen Democracy Forum’s second series, Engineer Amin Karim examines extremism as a complex global phenomenon that extends beyond any single religion, ideology, or region. He discusses the political, geopolitical, and security dimensions of extremism and argues that…
Countering Extremism: Social Exclusion, Injustice, and the Power of Inclusion In this episode, Ms. Nabiya Khatibi examines the social and psychological dimensions of extremism, focusing on how exclusion, discrimination, injustice, poverty, marginalization, and identity crises can create conditions in which extremist narratives gain influence. Drawing on her academic perspective and discussion of the 2020 Strategic…
Concept Note Introduction In mid-September 2026, Türkiye’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalın and a Qatari national-security delegation led by Hamad bin Khamis Al-Kubaisi visited Kabul, with Kalın also travelling to Kandahar. They met the Taliban’s security core—Abdul Haq Wasiq, Sirajuddin Haqqani, Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, and Abdul Ghani Baradar. The agenda was not political settlement. It was intelligence cooperation, counter-narcotics, trafficking,…
Countering Extremism: Colonial Legacies, Power, and the Misuse of Religion In this episode, Professor Nazif Shahrani of Indiana University examines the historical and political roots of extremism and explores how colonial interventions, political power, institutional failures, and structural inequalities can contribute to the emergence of extremist movements. Professor Shahrani challenges the assumption that extremism is…
The Development Window is a dedicated platform within BID that provides an open, inclusive space for Afghanistan nationals and Internationals — from academics, politicians, and elites to ordinary citizens — to share their ideas, visions, and practical solutions for the reconstruction and sustainable development of Afghanistan. Core Objective To create a vibrant, people-centered knowledge and…
صلح و امنیت اغلب مفاهیمی جدایی‌ناپذیر تلقی می‌شوند.؛ با این حال، آنچه طالبان در افغانستان «صلح و امنیت» می‌نامد، با معنای گسترده‌تر این مفاهیم همخوانی ندارد. همان‌طور که نلسون ماندلا گفته است: «صلح صرفاً به معنای نبودِ درگیری نیست؛ بلکه صلح یعنی ایجاد فضایی که در آن همه افراد، فارغ از نژاد، رنگ پوست، عقیده،…
Peace and security are often treated as inseparable. Yet what the Taliban call peace and security in Afghanistan does not align with the broader meaning of those terms. As Nelson Mandela said, “Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, colour,…
Disclaimer: this article reflects the author’s personal view and is not affiliated with any organization or institution. “Recent reports and experts warn that Kabul could exhaust its water supply by 2030, risking mass displacement and chaos unless residents and officials act now”. KABUL—a city with over five million residents—struggles with water challenges. “Our borewells have…
Mr. Sadiq Amini Founder of Afghanistan Impact: It has now been more than five years since the terrorist Taliban group unlawfully seized power in Afghanistan—an authority rejected by the Afghan people, lacking any legitimacy, and unrecognized by countries in the region and across the world. In general, Afghanistan today lives under a government that has…
Hope Amid Spiritual Hunger: The Taliban, Meaning, and Afghanistan’s Unfed Soul — Part 2 | Zahra Kazimi This episode presents the second part of the second Bareen Democracy Forum, titled “Hope Amid Spiritual Hunger: The Taliban, Meaning, and Afghanistan’s Unfed Soul.” Part 2 features Ms. Zahra Kazimi, political analyst and head of the Women’s Council…
