Editors’ Picks: The Taliban’s sharia is the most brutal of all

Plus: India’s space program inches closer to America and the Quad [Foreign Policy Logo]( [Foreign Policy Flashpoints]( October 13, 2021 | [View in browser]( SPONSORED BY [THE THUNDERBIRD SCHOOL OF GLOBAL MANAGEMENT AT ASU]( 1 [Return to the past.]( taking power in Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed law-and-order policies derived from the 7th century. The brutality of their punishments is incomparable, FP’s Anchal Vohra [writes](. 2 [Shifting into space.]( is opening its space sector to private companies and new allies—a move that signifies a profound shift in the country’s geostrategic orientation, C. Raja Mohan [writes](. 3 [Biggest loser.]( final results of Iraq’s national elections have yet to be announced, but the biggest losers appear to be pro-Iranian militant groups and the country’s democracy, FP’s Mina Al-Oraibi [writes](. 4 [Combating cyberthreats.]( a recent spike in high-profile cyberattacks, the Biden administration organized an international summit to confront the threat. Russia and China weren’t invited, FP’s Robbie Gramer [reports](. 5 [Looming authoritarianism.]( before COVID-19, Indonesia’s democracy appeared fragile. With the government’s pandemic crackdowns, the country is now creeping further toward authoritarianism, Kate Walton [writes](. SPONSORED [Globally Focused. Future-Ready.]( Globally Focused. Future-Ready. Thunderbird's one-year Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management is designed for busy, mid-career professionals in the DC metro area. Study at the intersection of global business, international affairs and global public policy. Thunderbird is home to the world's #1-ranked master's in management. [Learn more](. FOLLOW FP ON This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you are subscribed to FP’s Editors' Picks newsletter. Want a friend to receive this newsletter? [Forward it]( now. Want to receive other FP newsletters? [Manage]( your FP newsletter preferences. [unsubscribe]( | [privacy policy]( | [contact us]( | [advertise]( Foreign Policy magazine is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2021 The Slate Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 1750 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006. [Link](