The Monocle Daily Why did the Taliban switch off the internet? And why does Trump want Bagram back?
19 snips
Oct 1, 2025 Lynn O'Donnell, a former Kabul bureau chief for AFP, shares insights on the Taliban's recent internet blackout, explaining the political motives and consequences for everyday life in Afghanistan. Quentin Peel, an expert in international affairs, discusses Trump’s surprising desire to reclaim the Bagram airbase, evaluating its symbolic and strategic implications. The duo also delves into the EU's contentious debate over using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, raising complex legal and political questions.
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Budkin Bite In London
- Lynne O’Donnell described being bitten on the chin by a budkin while walking in London.
- She identified the insect by searching the internet and learning they live in oak trees and appear in November.
Internet Cuts As A Tool Of Control
- The Taliban used staggered internet restrictions as a control tool, not a simple technical failure.
- Lynne O’Donnell says the shutdown is a precursor to a conditional, tightly controlled reopening of services.
Morality Rules Mask Broader Disruptions
- Taliban decrees target smartphones, visual media and internet access to restrict outside information.
- Lynne O’Donnell warns that banking, biometrics and aviation services were disrupted, showing broad societal impact.