Zaranj, Afghanistan

Capital City

With a population of just under 50,000, Zaranj is a gritty, frontier city straddling the border with Iran. The tax burden is heavy, and the bureaucracy a persistent headache, as the city serves as a major smuggling hub for goods and people fleeing Afghanistan. Scorching summers reaching 50°C are the norm, and the threat of Taliban violence looms large after their 2021 capture of the provincial capital. This harsh border outpost is best suited for the most resilient and resourceful expats.