On 18 August 2023, two years after the Taliban seized control of Kabul, Salzburg Global Seminar published NESA Center alum Mustafa Aryan's article "The Fall of a Nation: A Story of Resilience and Hope" in which he recounts the vivid memories he has of the Afghan government collapse.

Aryan's piece delves into his personal encounters and the invaluable insights gained during the turbulent times of August 15, 2021, and its aftermath.

"The 15th of August 2021, a date forever etched in the memory of the Afghan people, marked the catastrophic fall of the Afghan Republic. As the sun rose on that fateful morning, casting its golden glow upon the city of Kabul, little did I know that the day would forever change the course of my life," writes Aryan.

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About the Author

Mustafa Aryan is a Salzburg Global Fellow, a Research Officer at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, and the Executive Director of the Security, Gender & Development Institute, which operates as an international volunteer network of experts producing research and events focused on a gendered analysis of international security topics. Aryan has worked in Afghanistan's private and public sectors for the last 11 years.

About the Publisher

Salzburg Global Seminar is a non-profit organization that challenges current and future leaders to shape a better world. It convenes programs on health care, education, culture, finance, technology, public policy, media, human rights, corporate governance, philanthropy, and the environment. Since 1947, Salzburg Global has welcomed more than 40,000 participants, known as Salzburg Global Fellows, from more than 170 countries.

The views presented in this article are those of the speaker or author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its components.