This paper examines international media coverage of the Neo-Taliban regime and its influence on regional political perceptions and discourse. Since the Taliban’s resurgence in August 2021, global narratives have shaped debates on security, human rights, and stability in South Asia. Using qualitative content analysis, the study draws on framing literature and discourse analyses from outlets such as The Economist, the BBC, and regional media in Pakistan and India. Unlike earlier descriptive accounts, this research situates findings within political communication and international relations debates, employing framing theory, constructivism, and agenda-setting. Results reveal recurring frames, including security and terrorism, human rights and women’s rights, governance and legitimacy, and humanitarian crisis, that construct specific images of the Taliban, influencing Indo-Afghan relations and Pakistan’s strategic stance. By linking media discourses to broader geopolitical contexts, the study highlights the constitutive role of international media in shaping notions of legitimacy,threat, and engagement in South Asian politics.