“Iran Reports Increase In Child Marriages,” RFE/RL, August 20, 2021.

“Europe Says Iran Creating ‘facts on the ground’ Amid Paused Nuclear Talks,” Iran International, August 20, 2021.

“Europe Says Iran Creating ‘facts on the ground’ Amid Paused Nuclear Talks,” Iran International, August 20, 2021.

Only Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and UAE recognized the Taliban the first time in power.  Now, who will do so?  To Iran’s credit, it never did (thinking pragmatically).  This time Saudi won’t, and certainly not UAE.  But will China?  It is a growing superpower and wants the resources of Afghanistan, and to oppose the U.S.  How will this play into Iran’s revolutionary regime desire to stay alive?  See “Who are the Taliban?,” BBC, August 19, 2021.  And see “Who Will Be the First Country to Recognize the Taliban?,” Margaret Besheer, VOA, August 20, 2021.