Rulers came and went, and every one of them was here, at the Intercontinental. Its former luxury has faded, but the Intercontinental has remained a symbol: Those who rule Kabul rule Afghanistan, and those who rule Kabul rule the Intercontinental. Today, the hotel is run by the Taliban. They entered Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021. Although they have been in power for two years, they have remained enigmatic. Only horror stories seem to leak out: For two years now, women and girls have been forbidden to attend secondary schools and universities. Women are no longer allowed in public parks.
