RASC News Agency: More than three years after the fall of the republic and the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan has become one of the most isolated and crisis-stricken nations in the world, spiraling further away from stability and progress. Yet, in a highly contentious trend, a number of foreign social media influencers have traveled to Afghanistan, attempting to project an alternative narrative one that many perceive as an orchestrated effort to sanitize the image of a repressive regime. In recent months, several digital content creators, particularly travel bloggers and social media influencers, have portrayed Afghanistan as an undiscovered gem for adventurers.
Among them is Nolan Somor, a Canadian YouTuber with over 650,000 followers, who has sought to present a different face of Afghanistan. His videos highlight the country’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant local markets, and the apparent warmth of its people. However, what is deliberately absent from these depictions is the Taliban’s systematic repression especially against women and ethnic minorities. While these highly curated visuals portray Afghanistan as a peaceful and welcoming destination, they overlook a grim reality: the country is now controlled by a regime that has dismantled fundamental freedoms, erased women from public life, and filled public spaces with fear and oppression.
This trend reflects a larger global phenomenon, where widespread distrust in mainstream media has led many to seek alternative, independent narratives. However, in the case of Afghanistan, these seemingly apolitical portrayals have inadvertently served the Taliban’s interests, functioning as a subtle but effective tool for legitimizing their rule on the international stage. Lacking both domestic legitimacy and formal international recognition, the Taliban have weaponized such content as a strategic propaganda mechanism, attempting to portray themselves as a stable and functional governing body. Yet, the reality remains unchanged: the Taliban’s grip on power is sustained through repression, censorship, and brute force.
While foreign influencers brand Afghanistan as a “safe and welcoming” travel destination, diplomatic institutions and human rights organizations paint an entirely different picture. The U.S. State Department and multiple European governments continue to issue strong travel warnings, citing severe security risks, the presence of extremist groups, and the collapse of essential infrastructure. Despite being the primary architects of Afghanistan’s instability, the Taliban are now capitalizing on the presence of foreign influencers to construct a misleading image of normalcy. Conspicuously absent from these narratives are the Taliban’s targeted persecution of journalists, violent suppression of civil protests, economic collapse, and sweeping restrictions on women’s rights.
In an era where public perception is heavily shaped by digital media, the consequences of spreading a distorted image of Afghanistan are profound. The same regime that has barred girls from education, persecuted non-Pashtun communities, and obliterated free speech is now using foreign influencers to rehabilitate its image. Foreign content creators traveling to Afghanistan must recognize that their trips are not mere personal adventures. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, they are enabling the Taliban’s global propaganda efforts, providing legitimacy to a regime that has plunged Afghanistan into darkness.
Afghanistan is not an exotic travel destination it is a nation where millions are fighting daily for their most basic human rights under one of the most oppressive regimes in modern history.
