Michael Semple, Practitioner Chair at the Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen's, has been one of the most authoritative voices on Afghanistan for many years.

In interviews and published analyses recently, he has again offered well-informed insights into latest developments and future prospects.

Speaking about the repercussions of the invasion and the need for independent analysis and policy support, Professor Semple said: “On 15 August 2021 the Taliban Movement overthrew the internationally recognised Afghan government and re-established its Islamic Emirate. The regime change has precipitated an economic crisis, a mass exodus of refugees and allowed the Taliban to conduct a purge of their opponents.

"These developments have repercussions within Afghanistan and at the regional and global level. Western countries have struggled to rethink their policies towards Afghanistan – how should they engage with the new Taliban authorities and how might they revive the peace process?"

"My ongoing research at the Mitchell Institute examines the political culture of the Taliban and uses this framework to explain the actions of this notoriously opaque movement. This in-depth analysis is used to deliver policy advice in support of Afghan peace-making.”

Mitchell Institute Director Professor Richard English commented: "Professor Semple's work has been outstandingly important in providing evidence-based understanding of the Afghan conflict and its complex dynamics. The Mitchell Institute at Queen's aims to produce research and analysis with an eye to advancing peace, security and justice; Michael Semple's globally-recognised expertise makes an invaluable contribution here in relation to a vital region."

The first episode of the Mitchell Institute Conversations Podcast series was launched earlier today.  In this new podcast series, Professor Richard English, Director of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s University Belfast, speaks with experts working in the areas of conflict resolution, peace-building, security and justice

The first episode features Prof Michael Semple, discussing Afghanistan 2021 and covers the recent Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, examining the causes of the upheaval and asks what the future might hold.

Listen to the podcast here.

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