This episode is a catch-up on developments in the Islamic Emirate.  Michael and Tamim talk through the harsh realities which the Taliban, the general population and opposition are being forced to confront.  The Taliban, struggling with a budget shortfall, are implementing mass redundancies, cutting salaries and failing to pay many of their bills.  The population faces harassment at the hands of the Taliban and immiseration as economic conditions deteriorate.  And the opposition struggles to find a way to scale up resistance to Taliban rule.  Although armed resistance for now poses no threat to the Emirate, the general alienation from the regime hints at possible future challenges.

Podcast produced by Colm Heatley.