Global News Podcast BBC reveals rift at top of Taliban regime
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Jan 15, 2026 
Zia Sharir, a journalist with the BBC Afghan Service, shares insights from his year-long investigation into the Taliban's internal rift, revealing a power struggle between hardliners and those advocating for international engagement and women's education. Jiragol, an anonymous BBC Persian reporter, sheds light on the violent crackdown on protests in Iran, detailing eyewitness accounts and shocking government actions. Sami Awami discusses the logistical chaos surrounding Uganda's elections, highlighting concerns over voter suppression and accusations against the ruling party.
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Two Rival Factions Within Taliban Leadership
- Zia Sharir found two rival Taliban factions: a Kandahar loyalist group backing strict isolationist policies and a Kabul group of ministers pushing for engagement and women's education.
- The split centers on power concentration, strict Sharia enforcement, and relations with the international community.
Leadership Ambiguity Shapes Public Perception
- Zia Sharir says confirming who actually rules matters because many Afghans doubt the supreme leader's visibility and existence.
- The investigation traced Hibatullah's meetings and daily operations to show he is real and centralised power in Kandahar.
Taliban Publicly Rejects Claims Of Division
- The Taliban denied serious division, framing differences as normal family disagreements via spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
- He warned that admitting division would weaken the movement, so public messaging stresses unity despite reported rifts.