WTH is happening on the ground in Afghanistan? WSJ reporter Yaroslav Trofimov on his travels around post-US withdrawal, the reshuffling of global power relations, and the future of a Taliban controlled state

What the Hell Is Going On

Following the United States’ chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, there is much debate about how America’s exit will impact its reputation on the world stage and whether rivals such as China and Russia will benefit. While President Biden has justified the withdrawal decision on the grounds of refocusing American strategic priorities around the globe, other countries are now seeking to expand their influence with the newly established Taliban-controlled government of Afghanistan.

Yaroslav Trofimov joined Dany and Marc to discuss his reporting from Afghanistan, the global balance of power now that the US has left, the goals and priorities of the Taliban, and what the Chinese and Russians are up to.

Yaroslav Trofimov is the chief foreign-affairs correspondent of The Wall Street Journal. He joined the Journal in 1999 and previously served as Rome, Middle East and Singapore-based Asia correspondent, as bureau chief in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and as Dubai-based columnist on the greater Middle East. He is the author of two books, “Faith at War” (2005) and “Siege of Mecca” (2007).

Download the transcript here.