Borders Close In Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s neighboring countries have closed their land borders to people trying to flee its new Taliban rulers, trapping tens of thousands of people who are trying to get out. In previous stages of Afghanistan’s four decades of wars, starting with the 1979 Soviet invasion, Pakistan took in millions of refugees, many of whom never left. Now, it isn’t willing to accept any more. The other major sanctuary, Iran, isn’t letting them enter either, and neither are Central Asian states. According to the United Nations, more than half a million Afghans were displaced from their homes this year in fighting between the Taliban and the former Afghan government. After a lightning conquest of the rest of the country, the Taliban completed their military takeover by entering Kabul on Aug. 15.