The killing of two women during a protest in Herat is not a random tragedy. It is a threat vector. The Afghan security apparatus, already porous, has failed to contain a hostile element.
This is a strategic pivot for the Taliban: external pressure forces them to either crack down or lose credibility. The UK’s call for protection is a signal that diplomatic channels are fraying. Expect a surge in IED attacks or cyber disruptions aimed at undermining any NATO advisory presence.
The hardware on the ground is insufficient: checkpoints are undermanned, comms are spotty. This is an intelligence failure waiting to escalate.
