Five years after returning to power, the Taliban remain firmly in control of Afghanistan. They govern the country, collect taxes, build infrastructure and engage with countries across the region. However, most major governments haven't formally recognized them as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan.

So, what has changed since the Taliban recaptured Kabul in 2021?

Learn more about the Islamist movement's journey from their origins and their first stint in power through the anti-US insurgency and their return as Afghanistan's rulers, and also examine how Afghanistan has changed under the new Taliban regime.

DW explores the country's current security issues, economy, humanitarian crises, and restrictions on women's and girls' rights, as well as regional diplomacy and the international community's growing engagement with the rulers in Kabul.

Have the Taliban merely survived? Or have they succeeded in transforming themselves into a legitimate government? And what do their five years in power mean for the future of Afghanistan and the region?