Major Simon Strombom, Distinguished Service Decoration (retired) who served in Kabul, gives his thoughts on the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban. The Taliban’s shock return to power in Afghanistan has sparked anguish among New Zealand’s refugee communities and the families of those who lost loved ones in the 20-year conflict. President Ashraf Ghani fled Kabul on Sunday after the Taliban took control of the country, declaring it the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark, who sent troops to Afghanistan in 2001, said a “massive intelligence failure” led New Zealand and allied governments to completely underestimate the Taliban’s strength. Zabi Karimi/AP Taliban fighters take control of the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 15.

Source: Stuff August 16, 2021 07:30 UTC