“At one point, I drink some tea and explain my intentions for a photo shoot. After a few pleasantries and a curt nod, I’m turned over to the governor’s staff, one of whose members types up a paper granting approval. From there, it’s the same ritual with the district police chief. On a trip to Wardak I received permission from the district police chief, but not the military commander stationed next door. His men saw us wandering through the ruins of an American base, and angrily called us over. We were surrounded by a Taliban contingent and interrogated. “If you take one more picture, I’ll shoot you,” warned the commander. “Now get in your car and don’t stop driving until you are out of the province.” With typical Afghan hospitality, he insisted we drink a cup of tea with him before hightailing it out of there. We politely declined.” Link in bio for article and photo essay from Afghanistan. For @vanityfair