The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is a de facto administration established following the Taliban’s seizure of control on August 15, 2021, after the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Taliban regime refers to itself as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and positions itself as a caretaker government led by the Afghan cleric Haibatullah Akhundzada — identified as the “supreme leader” — from Kandahar, while maintaining ministries in Kabul. According to assessments from the US Congress, the administration claims authority over Afghanistan’s approximately 39 million people, with all government members being male and the vast majority ethnic Pashtuns. The regime has implemented severe restrictions on women’s education, employment, and movement, according to the United Nations. Under Taliban rule since 2021, Afghanistan has faced international isolation, with Russia becoming the first country to recognize the Taliban government in July 2025.