The Modern Face of Kabul

Despite decades of conflict in Afghanistan, the country's capital city of Kabul is home to a vibrant youth scene, a handful of sleek shopping malls, cafes, and more. Reuters photographer Morteza Nikoubazl recently set out to document modern Kabul, populated by musicians, artists, athletes, and activists who are trying to live 21st-century lives in spite of massive infrastructure problems and the ever-present threat of militant attacks. Afghanistan is preparing for an election on April 5 that should mark the first democratic transfer of power in the country's history, but it has been hit by a tide of violence as the Taliban has ordered its fighters to disrupt the vote and threatened to kill anyone who participates. Many of the people in these images were happy to be photographed, but did not want to give their names. This photo essay is part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan.

Read more
Hints: View this page full screen. Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.

Most Recent

  • Yves Herman / Reuters
    • In Focus
    • 3:08 PM ET
    • 35 Photos

    Photos of the Week: Swan Song, Eiffel Climb, Porcelain Starlings

    Tornadoes in Missouri, paratroopers in France, abortion-rights protests in New York City, the Great Wall Marathon in China, a newborn walrus in Germany, and much more

  • Dita Alangkara / AP
    • In Focus
    • May 23, 2019
    • 25 Photos

    Photos: Deadly Post-election Riots in Indonesia

    Supporters of the presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto took to the streets of Jakarta, clashing violently with riot police, after his loss to incumbent President Joko Widodo was announced on Wednesday.

  • CC BY-SA ESA / Rosetta / NavCam
    • In Focus
    • May 22, 2019
    • 23 Photos

    The Small Bodies of the Solar System

    Images of asteroids, comets, trans-Neptunian objects, meteors, and more

  • Nhac Nguyen / AFP / Getty
    • In Focus
    • May 20, 2019
    • 20 Photos

    Buddha Day Celebrations in Photos

    Observations of Vesak, or Buddha Day, from several countries across Asia

Most Popular on The Atlantic

  1. A Single Scandal Sums Up All of Trump’s Failures
  2. Private Companies Are Building an Exoskeleton Around Earth
  3. There Is Too Much Stuff
  4. What I Learned About Life at My 30th College Reunion
  5. How Game of Thrones Lost Its Way as a Political Drama
  6. The Impossible Future of Christians in the Middle East
  7. Trump’s Cover-Up Accelerates
  8. End the Plague of Secret Parenting
  9. Theresa May’s Final Humiliation
  10. Why Silicon Valley Loved Uber More Than Everyone Else
Back to Top