Afghanistan: 13-year-Old Carries Out Taliban-Sanctioned Execution

Should the Western world be condemning Taliban barbarism, or taking responsibility for historic mismanagement of the region?

Published 13 hours ago·Updated 7 hours ago

Afghanistan: 13-year-Old Carries Out Taliban-Sanctioned Execution

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Above: Taliban security personnel stand guard, in Khost, on Dec. 2, 2025. Image credit: AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The Taliban's return to barbaric practices like stoning women and public executions proves Western analysts were naive to expect moderation following a U.S. withdrawal. This radical jihadist experiment threatens global stability, fuels terrorism, and exposes Islamist inability to govern as millions face starvation and flee oppression.

Liberal Democrat Voice Wall Street Journal

Establishment-critical narrative

Simple condemnation of developments in Afghanistan ignores Western culpability in creating instability in the region. A botched military withdrawal under former President Biden created domestic panic and generated the power vacuum enabling current oppression and human rights abuses under the Taliban. These horrifying stories are the responsibility of Washington, which has since turned its back on the ensuing humanitarian crisis.

Guardian Chatham House

Metaculus Prediction

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GuardianDEC 2023

Afghanistan’s Taliban makes 13-year-old boy execute convicted murderer in stadium spectacle attended by 80,000