 Pakistani soldiers stand guard as stranded Afghan nationals return to Afghanistan at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing point in Chaman on Aug. 14, after the Taliban took control of the Afghan border town. (AFP/Getty Images) The fall of Mazar-e Sharif cements the Taliban's control over northern Afghanistan and key routes to Central Asia as part of its stunning advances across the country. The capital, Kabul, is now the last major city under government control. By Rachel Pannett, Susannah George, Sammy Westfall and Karen DeYoung ● Read more » | 
