Inside Story

Is the Taliban up to the security challenges in Afghanistan?

Dozens of people killed in bombing outside Kabul airport by ISIL affiliate.

Nearly 200 people were killed in an attack outside Kabul’s airport, including at least 13 US military personnel. Many more were also wounded.

The attack claimed by an ISIL (ISIS) offshoot came as little surprise to many who had been warning of a security threat in the area for days.

Despite that, thousands of people still gathered outside the airport, waiting for their evacuation to be processed.

The attack by a suicide bomber happened close to the Abbey Gate entrance of Kabul airport – just a few days before the August 31 deadline for a complete US military withdrawal from the country.

US President Joe Biden pledged to strike back at the attackers. Will Afghanistan face more attacks?

Presenter: Hazem Sika

Guests:

Obaidullah Baheer – political analyst and a lecturer of transitional justice at the American University of Afghanistan

Colin Clarke – director of policy and research at The Soufan Group, a security and intelligence consulting firm

Sultan Barakat – director of the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies at the Doha Institute