In this episode, Professor Richard English speaks with Professor Michael Semple about the recent Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, examining the causes of the upheaval and asks what the future might hold.

Professor Michael Semple is an acknowledged world leader on the Afghan conflict. He collaborates with international peace-related NGOs and think tanks, and engages with policy makers. He is active in the public and policy debate around conflict transformations and Afghanistan.

About Professor Michael Semple

Professor Michael Semple works on innovative approaches to peace-making and engagement with militant Islamic movements in Afghanistan and South Asia.

His interests include the political culture of the Afghan Taliban and kindred militant Islamic movements, the role and potential of dialogue and social media in conflict transformation, and the challenge of pluralism in the post 9/11 Muslim world.

Professor Semple worked as a political officer in the United Nations team which helped to implement the Bonn Accord on Afghanistan after 2001 and served as Deputy EU Special Representative in the country. He continues to advise governments and parties involved in the Afghan peace process, at a senior level, informed by his ongoing research. He collaborates with international peace-related NGOs and think tanks, and engages with policy makers. He is active in the public and policy debate around conflict transformations and Afghanistan.