As The Diplomat reported on 26 May 2021, the Taliban has publicly warned Afghanistan"s neighbors not to host US military forces. Thomas Muller, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "This warning comes at a time when preparations are being made for the withdrawal of US and coalition forces by 11 September 2021 at the latest. The warning comes as no surprise since the USA has been looking for ways to monitor and possibly influence the situation in the country even after its armed forces have left Afghan territory. However, so far no country seems to be eager to host such troops and equipment, especially as such a move would be highly unpopular with the majority of their citizens. Meanwhile, the Taliban is contesting and taking over more districts, some of them close to the capital, Kabul (Long War Journal, 20 May 2021). In this volatile and increasingly insecure situation, members of religious minorities may well be looking to leave the country or do their best to remain in hiding."