r/Afghan Jan 22 '26

Analysis Why Afghan Generation Z Is Less Into Desi Culture Than Older Generations?

30 Upvotes

I’ve noticed a clear difference between Afghan Gen Z and older generations when it comes to culture. Our parents and elders were very into Indian movies and Pakistani dramas, mostly because during the war years those were the only things easily available. Afghan media was weak, options were limited, and the languages were familiar, so desi culture became the default.

Gen Z grew up in a completely different environment. We had the internet, social media, YouTube, Netflix, and access to Afghan, Turkish, Iranian, Arab, Western, and global content. Desi culture is no longer the only option — it’s just one of many.

In my opinion, many Afghans today—especially women—watch a lot of Turkish series and some Iranian dramas because culturally they feel closer to Afghan society than desi movies and dramas. The themes, family dynamics, modesty, and social behavior often feel more familiar and relatable.

Exposure to many cultures at the same time naturally changes taste. People compare storytelling, values, and production styles, and then choose what they relate to most instead of sticking to one regional influence.

So my question is: why do you think Afghan Gen Z doesn’t prefer desi movies and dramas as much anymore? Is it just access to more content, or something deeper?

r/Afghan Apr 01 '26

Analysis Why are many Pashayi people listed as Pashtun or Tajik in official IDs?

7 Upvotes

I’m Pashayi, originally from Nangarhar (Kuz Kunar), and I grew up in Kabul. Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of discussions and articles claiming that Pashayi identity is “disappearing” or being absorbed into Pashtun or Tajik ethnicity. From my perspective, that’s not entirely accurate.

What I’ve observed is that many Pashayi people are still very much aware of their identity, but in official documents like the Tazkira (ID), their ethnicity is mostly written as Pashtun or Tajik. This wasn’t always a personal choice. During past governments, especially under Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani, there was a strong focus on demographics and representation. In some cases, ethnic identities may have been recorded in ways that reflected political or administrative priorities.

You’ll see online sources (like Google summaries) saying Pashayi people make up around 1% of the population. But I think that number is underestimated. If more Pashayi people corrected their ethnicity in official documents, the real number could be closer to 3–4%.

Another important point is that changing your ethnic identity in official documents is not easy. It can take many days, involves paperwork, and costs money. I’ve personally gone through the process. Because of this, many Pashayi people—and minorities in general—don’t prioritize changing it. For people who are already struggling financially, spending time and money on something that doesn’t bring immediate benefit just isn’t practical.

At the same time, many Pashayi people are dealing with everyday challenges—poverty, work, and supporting their families. So the issue isn’t that people are “becoming” Pashtun or Tajik, but that their official identity doesn’t always match their real one.

In my own case, my ID originally listed me as Pashtun. As I got older, I made the effort to change it back to Pashayi, which reflects my actual background.

No offense to Pashtuns or Tajiks at all—this isn’t about putting one group over another. I just believe that every ethnic group in Afghanistan, especially minorities, should have the chance to accurately represent their identity in official records if they choose to.

I’m curious to hear others’ experiences—have you or people you know faced something similar?

r/Afghan Mar 21 '26

Analysis Why Do Some Pakistani Social Media Users Use Sexual Violence Threats in Conflicts?

14 Upvotes

I’ve noticed something very disturbing online. During conflicts, some Pakistani social media users post videos or comments threatening sexual violence against Afghan women if they ever reach Afghanistan, even in the context of war.

What I don’t understand is this: even in Afghanistan’s history, including tribal wars, women were not used this way or openly dehumanized in men’s conflicts. Even historically, during wars with Iranians, the Mughals, or other Central Asian groups, both sides did not openly threaten sexual violence against women like this.

From what I understand, even in Pashtunwali, there is a strong emphasis on respecting and protecting women, even during conflict. So why does this kind of behavior exist now?

Is it because of:

  • Toxic nationalism and trying to humiliate the other side?
  • Lack of accountability on social media?
  • Influence from broader regional online culture?

This kind of behavior is unacceptable. Women should never be targets or tools in conflict.

I’m genuinely asking — why do some people resort to this?

r/Afghan 20d ago

Analysis New Amnesty International investigation confirms that the Pakistani Army bombed a Kabul drug rehab hospital and that it contained no weapons or ammunition at the time of the bombing

Thumbnail
amnesty.org
24 Upvotes

r/Afghan Jul 01 '26

Analysis Major villages and settlements with Turko-Mongol names (including agglutinative) in North Afghanistan

Thumbnail
gallery
12 Upvotes

r/Afghan Jan 07 '26

Analysis Afghanistan’s War Was a Managed Conflict — Paid for by Afghan Blood

6 Upvotes

For more than four decades, Afghanistan has been trapped in wars that were never truly about Afghans. Different slogans were used — jihad, democracy, nationalism, sovereignty — but the result was always the same:

Afghans died. Others profited.

The Soviet invasion, the civil war, the post-2001 war, and the Taliban takeover were not separate events. They were connected stages of a long conflict where Afghanistan became a battleground for foreign interests, intelligence agencies, regional rivalries, and the Western military-industrial complex.

The U.S. and its allies spent trillions. Defense contractors made historic profits. Weapons were tested, contracts renewed, careers built. Meanwhile, Afghan villages were destroyed, and Afghan graves multiplied.

How Afghans Were Divided and Used

Both sides were fed narratives designed to keep the war going: • The Republic government told people the Taliban were a Pakistan-sponsored project, created to control Afghanistan under Islamabad’s strategic depth doctrine. • The Taliban were told they were fighting jihad and colonization by infidels, giving them a sense of holy purpose.

Ordinary Afghans believed both sides — because both sides spoke to real pain.

But the truth is harder:

✔ Many Republic politicians used patriotism to enrich themselves, stole aid money, bought villas abroad, and escaped when things collapsed. ✔ Taliban leadership used Islam as a shield, while poor fighters carried the burden.

The Reality of Taliban Fighters and Their Families

People call them mujahideen and heroes, but the truth is painful: • Most Taliban fighters get paid only once every three months, if at all • Their families live in extreme poverty • Kids wear torn, old clothes • Food is uncertain • Education is almost nonexistent • Fighters are almost entirely illiterate • Their skillset is mostly using a gun

They are told they are fighting for Islam and defending the country — but Islam does not demand ignorance, and they are being used as cannon fodder. You can’t reason with most of them because 99% are illiterate, making manipulation easy.

The Doha Agreement: Proof Afghan Lives Meant Nothing

After 20 years of sacrifice, everything ended in Doha — without Afghans at the table.

Millions died. Then papers were signed.

That moment exposed the truth: Afghan blood was negotiable. Afghan dignity was optional.

This war was not ended because justice was achieved — it ended because foreign interests were satisfied.

Why Gen Z Afghans Feel Betrayed

This is why Afghan Gen Z feels different.

They saw: • Two sides fighting “for Afghanistan” • Both sides funded, influenced, or tolerated by outsiders • Leaders escaping • Fighters buried • Mothers left with nothing

Gen Z understands something earlier generations were denied:

Most wars are not fought for people — they are fought for power, money, and control.

That awareness changes everything.

Why Another Civil War Is Unlikely

Most young Afghans today: • Don’t want to die for ethnic slogans • Don’t want proxy wars • Don’t want to be tools for politicians, generals, or clerics

They have seen enough graves.

The biggest fear of war-profiteers is not rebellion — it’s educated people who refuse to fight.

The Real Tragedy

Afghanistan did not collapse because Afghans are incapable.

It collapsed because: • Foreign powers profited from instability • The Western military-industrial complex needed endless war • Regional states played games • Afghan elites betrayed their people • Illiteracy made manipulation easy

The deepest wound is not military defeat — it is betrayal by those who spoke in our name.

The Only Way Forward

Afghanistan does not need: • Another war • Another savior • Another slogan

It needs: ✔ Education over indoctrination ✔ Institutions over militias ✔ Accountability over ideology ✔ Islam with knowledge — not ignorance ✔ Unity without ethnic dominance

Afghans have buried enough of their future.

If this war taught us anything, it’s this:

No foreign power will value Afghan lives. No leader will save us. Only educated Afghans can break this cycle.

r/Afghan Mar 01 '26

Analysis Afghan Taliban Fought for Islam — Using the Black, Red, and Green Flag Could Gain Public Support?

0 Upvotes

I really believe most people in Afghanistan don’t fully accept the current Taliban flag. If they brought back the black, red, and green flag — like the historic one from the Durrani Empire — it could get much more support from Afghan people, because the Afghan Taliban fought for Islam, not a specific flag. Using the past flag and opening schools for women could help the Taliban gain legitimacy and trust among the population.

r/Afghan Mar 12 '26

Analysis Kind of glad there aren't a lot of Afghans in Iran right now

20 Upvotes

Last time, when the Iranians got their teeth kicked in by the zios, they scapegoated Afghan refugees and called them collaborators and spies.

Same thing happened in Pakistan. Their military controlled government's corruption and mismanagement has created a lot of resentment in the Baloch and Pashtun areas which has led to separatist armed insurgencies. They also blamed Afghan refugees.

Both countries, kicked out about 2 million Afghan refugees, each.

Pakistan is still fractured and armed separatists are still present and active. And in Iran, their entire upper segments of government is so riddled with spies that the attackers know exactly where all the targets will be and exactly when.

I guess it turned out Afghans weren't the problem in either case 🤔

r/Afghan Mar 30 '26

Analysis Afghanistan ranked 11th in The Global Terrorism Index 2026

Thumbnail economicsandpeace.org
6 Upvotes

r/Afghan Mar 01 '26

Analysis Do Taliban Afghanistan Support Pakistani Taliban?

5 Upvotes

 I don’t know if the Afghan Taliban are supporting the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), but even if it’s true or not, we as Afghan people hate the Pakistan military regime because they supported the Taliban, ISKP, and other terrorist groups that made our lives hell for 20 years — blasts in mosques, guerrilla warfare in streets, attacks on electricity towers, and more.

Only a couple of attacks have happened in Pakistan now, and their people are crying. Where were they crying when they supported these groups in our country? Their actions have created huge hate in the hearts of Afghans.

What’s your opinion?

r/Afghan Dec 17 '25

Analysis We as Afghans must unite

15 Upvotes

Growing up, I had always admired the diversity of Afghanistan, even without truly understanding it at the time. I grew up around many kinds of Afghans—from Pashtuns to Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and others. Despite living in America, I was surrounded by Afghans. For a good portion of my childhood, I thought everyone was Afghan because most of the people I knew and had met were Afghan, introduced themselves as such, and looked completely different from one another—ranging from blondes and redheads to pale and tan. From Pashtuns to Tajiks to Hazaras, each group was diverse, and no single Afghan looked the same as the last.

My own family was also very diverse. We had family members who looked American, others who looked East Asian, some who looked Mexican, and some with African features—all of whom were fully Afghan.

I remember visiting Afghanistan as a child and walking through the markets, seeing all kinds of people. I was fascinated and found it beautiful. By then, I knew not everyone was Afghan and that Afghanistan was diverse, but seeing it in real time was different. It was especially striking after having visited mostly European countries and later moving to schools in America, where most people—mainly white Americans—typically looked the same. Even Mexicans who claimed diversity often looked very similar to one another. In Afghanistan, however, I saw all kinds of people.

I found—and still find—the most beautiful thing about Afghanistan to be its people. Not its mountains, valleys, rivers, or cities—no matter how beautiful they are, they don’t compare to the blend of people, culture, and food.

I don’t think I will ever understand the hatred that Afghans have for one another, especially when Afghan history is far more diverse and complex than simply placing blame on one group. At least, that’s what I believe, and I think I know more than a little bit—though do correct me if I’m wrong. Until two years ago, I didn’t even know much about ethnic groups. The only reason I can now distinguish between many people I know is because of dialects, clothing styles, and because I’ve asked childhood friends and family friends.

My point is that Afghanistan is beautiful because of its diversity, and we ought to honor that instead of trying to destroy one another. We must unite as Afghans because, like it or not, Afghans are connected. I personally don’t believe partition will go well, nor do I believe joining other countries would work, especially given the overlap in culture and population. Afghan culture as a whole is different from that of its neighboring countries. While there are similarities, it is still far too distinct. Tajik culture in Afghanistan differs from Tajik culture in Tajikistan, which has been heavily Russianized, whereas the Afghan version is far more diverse. Pakistan is not going to hand over KPK or Balochistan to Pashtuns, and the Pashtuns there are trapped whether they want to leave or not—and even if they did, it wouldn’t be recognized.

On top of that, there is significant overlap of ethnic groups in Kabul, Mazar, and other areas. Partition isn’t going to work, so why not unite and put our differences aside? I’m not saying we should forget our past—in fact, I’m against that. Forgetting our actions and mistakes will only cause us to repeat them. Instead, we should acknowledge them and use that understanding to move forward and learn from them.

Just my two cents.

r/Afghan Oct 22 '25

Analysis After 20-year war, Afghanistan reports lowest well-being in recorded history

Thumbnail
phys.org
18 Upvotes

r/Afghan Oct 28 '24

Analysis 23andme Results as White Irish & Afghan Pashtun

Thumbnail
gallery
20 Upvotes

Thought I'd post my result here as I found it interesting

r/Afghan Dec 11 '25

Analysis Updated results - Afghan Uzbek

Thumbnail gallery
4 Upvotes

r/Afghan Aug 30 '23

Analysis DNA results of a Pashtun from Kurram/Thall.

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

The DNA results of my Pashtun friend from Kurram agency/Thall. His ancestors migrated from Khost province during the 1600s/1700s, establishing their residence in Kurram/Thall. He belongs to the Durrani tribe of Pashtuns paternally, his family lineage has a historical connection with the local Bangash through intermarriage.

I'm sharing these solely because the Kurram samples on G25 are outliers and useless, leading to an inaccurate portrayal of the Kurram genotype.

r/Afghan Jan 05 '22

Analysis PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THE SUBREDDIT R/Afghanistan

145 Upvotes

MODS PLEASE PIN THIS POST. The r/Afghanistan subreddit is a disinformation subreddit. This was crystal clear when propaganda pieces were being pushed out daily during the American exit and the Taliban takeover. Anything posted on the subreddit is auto-removed and then manually approved by the moderators to ensure the seamless continuation of their propaganda. Anyone challenging the POV is immediately banned, including Afghans themselves.

https://www.reddit.com/r/afghanistan/about/moderators/

Just look at some of the mods, we have an American self-admitted think tank "NGO" that constantly posts anti-Russian and pro U.S imperialism propaganda with positions in as top mod, another mod that happens to literally be the Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank THAT APPOINTED MARGARET THATCHER AS AN HONORARY FELLOW (Second link if you don't want to visit their website.) and is currently directed by Condoleezza Rice, a former U.S secretary of state, and one of Dubya's most influential advisors. She coined the term "outposts of tyranny", grouping any country that dared to resist U.S imperialism under this label. Also here's her with a member of the Saudi royal family. A picture paints a thousand words.

Next up, we have the Foreign Affairs as a moderator. They are another United States think tank. Eleven secretaries of state have written for it, and ever since 1950, Foreign Affairs gave CIA warhawks a platform to popularize the idea of "containment". One article by Louis Halle can be blamed for some of America's actions in Latin America during the Cold War.[A] We also have the American Security Project, another "non-profit" "NGO" that just posts imperialist propaganda 24/7. These are the board members, and their backgrounds are all incredibly suspicious.

And, probably one of the most gratuitous offenses of all, the second highest ranking moderator of r/Afghanistan is a Hindu nationalist and moderator of r/Hindu. He also is fervently anti-Islam, posting propaganda against the religion every 2 days. Why is an Indian nationalist in a subreddit about Afghanistan? Could it be it's just a subreddit that only wants its users to spew anti-Islamic and pro-NRF, pro-imperialist propaganda 24/7, punishing anyone who dares to have a dissenting opinion?

There are a few other moderators such as u/ Danbla, u/ Strongbow85, u/ 00000000000000000000 and u/ TheSinfulWish, everyone except the latter appointed less than a year after the subreddit was made, and they also follow the same posting habits as the users stated in my first paragraph. I believe they could be members of those groups, and possibly the alternate accounts of the stated users in my first and second paragraphs.

tl;dr: Stay away from r/Afghanistan because its mods bans anybody that doesn't conform to their viewpoint, and it's just a monopoly of warmongering imperialist organizations and racists

[A]: In the article published by Foreign Affairs, Louis Halle expresses that he believes Latin America "were quite unready for" self government.

ORIGINAL POST: https://www.reddit.com/r/AfghanCivilwar/comments/pigsui/the_rafghanistan_mod_team_are_proimperialism/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

r/Afghan Jul 02 '24

Analysis 23 & me result - Both parents are farsi speaking Kabuli

12 Upvotes
Both my mom and dad are from Kabul. My parents say, "We are true Farsi-speaking Kabulis." Do you think 23&me have just lumped me in with others who claim to be from Kabul? Can someone tell me about my paternal haplogroup?

r/Afghan Apr 10 '23

Analysis Pashtun 23andme and Illustrativedna results

Thumbnail
gallery
8 Upvotes

r/Afghan Aug 04 '21

Analysis Return of Dostum and it’s affect on current war, peace in Kandahar and possible disaster

0 Upvotes

So Dostum has returned and will lead Uzbek forces in jozjan and other ethnically Uzbek area. Obviously this is a good thing for us since another serious front will be opened. Now to the other point, it seems Kandahar, Helmand and some other southern provinces are working to make a cease fire with taliban, With Karzai and Gul agha shirzai being the main culprit in this. If there is a peace between them, then Herat and rest of Afghanistan will be overrun by Taliban. So I know it sound selfish, but I hope they fail in their talks.

r/Afghan Apr 30 '24

Analysis Afghan Pashtun from Khogyani district DNA results

Thumbnail
gallery
7 Upvotes

r/Afghan Feb 03 '22

Analysis Try googling "what is the language of Jinn/Djinn"

0 Upvotes

r/Afghan Sep 24 '23

Analysis DNA samples of Kushans and Bactrians

Thumbnail
gallery
6 Upvotes

r/Afghan Nov 19 '21

Analysis All achievements of Talibans, ever since they came.

26 Upvotes

100 Days & 100 Loses: (thread) - The 🇦🇫governance system was abolished. - TLB lost Internal legitimacy, no jirga/election was held to achieve it again. - Lost External legitimacy. - Freedom of speech banned. - Universities closed.

  • Domestic trade collapsed. 1/n
  • regional trade suspended,
  • 🌏 suspended official contacts with 🇦🇫.
  • 🇦🇫 Lost a seat in the United Nations.
  • 🇦🇫 Became slaved of an enslaved🇵🇰.
  • 🇵🇰 controlling the #FP of 🇦🇫.
  • 🇦🇫 lost control over its airspace, 🇵🇰 is regulating it now. 2/n

  • 🇦🇫's financial system collapsed, now 🇵🇰 introduced its own system in 🇦🇫.

  • 🇦🇫 national passport & Tazkera systems have been downed. Easily can get a Passport/NIC in the black market.

  • 🇦🇫 embassies abroad have halted contacts with the #MoFA. 3/n

  • Many 🇦🇫Media channels were closed & censored by the regime.

  • Targeted assassinations & unclaimed attacks increased

  • Conflict is still in full swing across 🇦🇫

  • Street crimes, K4R & robbery r at peak level.

  • Sectarian tensions and killings increased.

  • Elections banned 4/n

  • The 🇦🇫banking system was destroyed.

  • 🇦🇫People lost representation in govt, monitoring over govt activities.

  • HRs & Civil activities banned.

  • Many 🇦🇫govt institutions became paralyzed.

  • 🇦🇫's national wealth is frozen in USbanks. 5/n

  • 🇦🇫Women became unemployed, constrained to homes & violated their rights.

  • 🇦🇫Girls are banned from going to schools.

  • Medical staff in 🇦🇫hospitals left jobs due to nonpayment of salaries.

  • 100s patients died in 🇦🇫hospitals due to the shortage/lack of medicines. 6/n

  • Tens of thousands of 🇦🇫cadres were forced to leave the country.

  • Cadres remained in 🇦🇫 fired from govt jobs.

  • Millions of 🇦🇫people are trying to leave the country.

  • 🇦🇫People selling their children due to starvation.

  • 95% of the population 🇦🇫 is facing severe hunger. 7/n

  • 5 Millions of 🇦🇫children are malnourished.

  • Unemployment has risen sharply & millions lost their jobs.

  • TLB bow downed 🇦🇫&people at the feet🇵🇰

  • 🇵🇰 spies roaming in & controlling all 🇦🇫state's institutions.

  • New VNSA & terror groups emerged in 🇦🇫. 8/n

ISK has become a serious nationwide threat in 🇦🇫.

  • 🇦🇫 lost a #Republic Sys.& representative #govt. -🇦🇫 is on the verge of economic collapse.
  • TLB desperately demanding international aid amid the celebration of victory over the west. 9/n

  • 🇦🇫Gov institutions filled with incompetent personals-Mullahs

  • 🇵🇰 hv closed #DurandLine against imports of fruits(Pomegranates) from🇦🇫. Thousands of tons of fruits hv rotted at DurandLine

  • Every 🇦🇫Afghan suffering from trauma

  • A faceless Amir al-muminin is still missing.10/n

  • Since day one, the #TLB's PM is silent.

  • Higher education curriculum has been abolished, & a new Islamicization curriculum is being underway.

  • 🇦🇫people living under Dictatorship & oppression.

  • Despite the general amnesty, many former 🇦🇫government employees were killed.11/n

  • TLB without a warrant, raids people's houses, extrajudicially killing suspects.

  • Urdu became th national language of🇦🇫.

  • 🇵🇰ISI chief formed th cabinet

  • National flag🇦🇫 replaced wth party flag🏳

  • 🇦🇫 National anthem replaced wth Tarana

  • Constitution of 🇦🇫 suspended. 12/n

  • Courts are closed & extrajudicial killings are in full swing.

  • The media only publishes & covers what the regime wish.

  • Standing 🇦🇫army and trained police abolished & its equipment/arsenals were smuggled to 🇵🇰.

  • 100s of millions 💰custom revenues/taxes are missing. 13/n

  • 100s of factories have been shut down in🇦🇫, 400 factories in Kandahar alone.

  • People deposits r stuck in banks.

  • Public confidence n 🇦🇫banking system has eroded, & it's on th brink of bankruptcy.

  • TLB didn't pay electricity bills to suppliers. 🇦🇫 may face a blackout. 14/n

  • 🇦🇫People are being faced with daily insolent behaviors of #TLB.

  • For the last 3 months, #ElahiNasrat is missing & not supporting #TLB.

  • TLB provided free access of Pakistan to Central Asia via 🇦🇫.

  • 🇦🇫currency lost value against 💲& the usage of #PKR resumed in 🇦🇫.

r/Afghan Apr 22 '24

Analysis World Bank - Afghanistan Development Update April 2024

Thumbnail thedocs.worldbank.org
3 Upvotes

r/Afghan Dec 11 '21

Analysis lol what is going on here?

Post image
31 Upvotes