Eurotopics.net

Europe's media focus not just on the consequences of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, but also on the causes. What role does the international deployment of troops play and to what extent is the problem home-made?

A law passed in Warsaw according to which administrative decisions may only be appealed within 30 years is putting a strain on Polish-Israeli relations. Israel has criticises the legislation on the grounds that this prevents families of Holocaust victims from reclaiming property confiscated during the Nazi regime. Polish commentators defend the government's decision.

Although the Polish government coalition collapsed over the issue, the majority of the Sejm deputies passed a controversial media law on Wednesday. It is widely seen as aiming to revoke the licence of the anti-government broadcasting network TVN. Commentators discuss the tense relations between Poland and the US and the increasingly frequent comparisons with the style of government in Hungary.

Since the withdrawal of international troops, the Taliban have advanced faster than expected, taking control of the country's third-largest city Herat on Thursday and its second-largest city Kandahar just a few hours later. The US and the UK have sent troops to Kabul to ensure diplomats can leave the country safely. Commentators discuss whether the Taliban's onslaught can still be stopped.