Was the US right to leave Afghanistan?

The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have been celebrating the fifth anniversary of their return to power in Kabul. But they continue to face allegations of severe repression of women and girls, who are now virtually excluded from all public life. The BBC's Lyse Doucet has an assessment of life under the Taliban and she talks to two former BBC Afghan journalists who managed to escape rule under the Taliban.

Also in the programme: Israel has defended its deadly strikes across southern Lebanon, saying they were in retaliation for a Hezbollah attack on its occupying forces. We find out why the Lebanese president has cast doubts on Israel's sincerity in peace negotiations. And we hear from the soul backing trio, the Womack sisters who've finally released their self-titled debut album this week.

(Photo: Members of the Taliban participate in a rally to mark five years in power, in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2026. Credit: Reuters/Sayed Hassi.)