Crackdowns on alcohol and shop mannequins denounced as “idols” are among the latest ways the Taliban is making its presence known in Afghanistan. The Islamic militant group, which seized control of the country in August 2021, was initially expected to be less repressive than when it last held power. The latest actions at the start of the year 2022 were seen as reminiscent of the Taliban’s previous rule in the 1990s, when the regime was known for enforcing a strict interpretation of Islamic law and some of the world’s harshest restrictions on women.