Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, declared that Western laws are irrelevant in Afghanistan and emphasized the enforcement of sharia law in a recent audio message. He condemned the West, particularly the US, and claimed that democracy is dead in the country. Akhundzada's influence has grown since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, marked by strict measures against women and girls. Despite some internal dissent regarding decision-making, the Taliban maintain diplomatic relations with certain countries.