Afghanistan’s marginalised groups face increasing woes

Significance The Taliban have increasingly fraught relations not only with Shia, most of whom are ethnic Hazaras, but also with other marginalised communities, including Salafis -- a small segment of the Sunni population -- and ethnic Uzbeks and Tajiks. Impacts If the Shia community becomes further alienated, the emirate’s ties with Iran, a largely Shia country, may be compromised. As many areas with mining potential are populated by disadvantaged groups, social turmoil could affect investment prospects. Unity within the dominant ethnic Pashtun community will likely grow.