The Centre for Afghanistan Studies organised a panel discussion titled Past Lessons and Future Paths on 24 February 2025 at O. P. Jindal Global University. The discussion compared the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan with the rise of HTS in Syria, examining the consequences for regional order and policy. Professor Raghav Sharma opened the event, describing both movements as tests of how the region responds to radical change. Professor Abdul Fatah Ammourah provided diplomatic and historical context, while keynote speaker Kabir Taneja analysed how militant groups use social media to cultivate a modern image despite rigid ideology. Brigadier Saurabh Sharma shared field experiences from his service in Kabul, identifying intelligence gaps and the fragility of externally supported regimes. His account demonstrated that policies developed far from the ground often fail in practice. The panel urged a shift from state-centric frameworks to people-focused diplomacy and field-based intelligence. Professor Bilquees Daud summarised the key insights, emphasising that silence is not a strategy and that empathy and timely action are essential for credible diplomacy. Ms. Oditi Patgiri concluded with a vote of thanks. The event highlighted the Centre’s commitment to dialogue that connects theory with lived experience and strengthens understanding of South and West Asian security dynamics.