The Taliban in Pieces

Although rumors of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar have circulated for years - rumors that the Afghan National Directorate of Security even confirmed several times, first in classified communications with its allies and then in a December 2014 public statement - it was only on July 29, 2015, that the Afghan and US governments affirmed that he had died. Perhaps even more surprising, this time the Taliban admitted that Omar is dead after having staunchly rejected the possibility for years.©2015 Foreign Affairs (P)2015 Audible, Inc.