World · 15 January 2026
Taliban Leadership Faces Internal Rift, Competing Visions Emerge
A BBC investigation revealed a significant rift within the Taliban leadership, despite public denials. Supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, based in Kandahar, advocates for a strict Islamic Emirate, isolated from the modern world. Conversely, a Kabul-based faction seeks a more engaged Afghanistan, still adhering to Islamic principles. Akhundzada warned that internal divisions could lead to the collapse of the Taliban's governance. The BBC's investigation included over 100 interviews to map these competing visions.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs