![A man crosses a narrow bridge near the Qal-e-Kohna at Lashkar Gah river, in Helmand province on March 27, 2021. / AFP / WAKIL KOHSAR](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JNVHIZ4XM72EQ5QQRHFH6D4IEM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1877b7e7eecf422dee529b507dcf6f7a6665266ee54db0c3cb86acf4fab18739&width=400&height=225)
The US has been engaged in largely fruitless peace talks with the Taliban. AFP
The US has been engaged in largely fruitless peace talks with the Taliban. AFP
Afghanistan's next civil war will be far messier
A potential Taliban takeover in the aftermath of US troops leaving is only the beginning