Tourism & Geopolitics - Social media influencers are promoting Afghanistan as a travel destination, attracting tourists with viral videos [1] - Tourism aims to provide much-needed business to Afghanistan, but the situation differs significantly for Afghan women [2] - The UN describes the situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban as gender apartheid, particularly since the US withdrawal [3] - The Taliban government prioritizes tourism, relying on bloggers and YouTubers to promote the country [4] - Tourism revenue could help the Taliban fund its repression, despite replacing lost foreign aid [5] Socio-Political Context - The Taliban is systematically erasing women from public life, including barring them from high school and university [3] - Some perceive that the benefits of visiting Afghanistan outweigh the potential negative impacts [4]

So, can we skip to the good part. >> On social media, a growing number of influencers taking viewers inside what they're calling a hot new travel destination, Afghanistan. >> Some, like tour lead Zoe Stevens suggesting limitations on female travelers in the Taliban ruled nation are overblown.>> A country is not a sum of its politics. It's a sum of so much more. to some of its culture, its history, its food, and especially in Afghanistan, its people.>> But the situation much different for everyday Afghan wom ...