The strange history of Afghanistan's poppy flower

The poppy is not just a flower. It is a lens through which we see how Afghanistan was shaped, exploited, and continually redefined. It tells the story of the nation itself.

Samangan: the city of Rostam and Sohrab

You’ve probably never heard of this city in Afghanistan — but it shaped one of Persia’s greatest literary tragedies.

Kabul’s Forgotten Legends | Shabnam Nasimi

The Kabul you haven’t heard of; where storytelling shapes its soul.

Kandahar: The Second Home of Zoroastrianism | Shabnam Nasimi

They call it the heartland of the Taliban. But for over 3000 years it has been Zoroastrian, Buddhist, and Greek — long before the Kalashnikov was invented.

Herat: The Pearl of Khorasan | Shabnam Nasimi

Before Michelangelo, before da Vinci—Herat was already shaping the world. This ancient city sparked a renaissance before Florence—a place most have never even heard of, let alone seen.

Ghazni: Where the Shahnama Was Born | Shabnam Nasimi

Three hours away from Kabul lies a place called Ghazni. 

Balkh: “The Mother of All Cities” | Shabnam Nasimi

Long before Rome’s power, Babylon’s hanging gardens, or the great palaces of Persepolis, there was ‘Balkh’—the shining jewel of the ancient world. To the Greeks, it was known as ‘Bactra’, a land of...