Taliban Restricts Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat in Afghanistan
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The Taliban's internet blackout isolates Afghanistan, severing access to education, work, and global connection while silencing dissent, especially women's voices. Yet the regime hypocritically weaponizes social media for propaganda — leaders tweet, run YouTube channels, and fund influencers. This isn't rejection of digital platforms but calculated control: suppressing citizens while exploiting these tools for manipulation and repression.
Establishment-critical narrative
Global internet censorship is surging — 103 countries now restrict online access. From China's Great Firewall to Iran's protest blackouts, authoritarian regimes weaponize digital control. Yet democracies like Norway, Germany, and the U.K. quietly adopt similar measures through vague "safety" laws. The Taliban's tactics aren't unique; they mirror a worldwide assault on digital freedom, proving censorship transcends ideology when power seeks control.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 10% chance that the United States will recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
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