The Taliban are starting their fifth year of ruling Afghanistan. They have silenced internal dissent, tightened their control over Afghan life, secured recognition from Russia as the country's official government,

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities marked the fourth anniversary of their takeover on Friday buoyed by Russia's first official recognition of their government, a step they hope other countries will follow.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew after more than two decades of a costly war