A French Connection? Recognition and Entente for the Taliban

Abstract

This paper will explore a way forward for French-Afghan relations post United Nations (U.N.) occupation. The summer of 2021 proved to be very tumultuous as the Taliban lay in waiting for U.N. forces to withdraw in what many would call a hasty, poorly thought-out egress operation. The Taliban effectively retook all major cities, including the capital, Kabul, and found themselves isolated as U.N. states closed embassies and severed diplomatic relations. Now, Afghanistan finds itself without international aid and support and on the verge of an economic crisis. France now has the opportunity to initiate a leadership role in the establishment and recovery of the new Afghan government.