This is all thanks to the Trump Effect. Here’s a quote from the article:
When an Air Force B-52 dropped 19 smart bombs on Taliban opium and heroin facilities in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in November, Air Force Brig. Gen. Lance Bunch revealed the Trump administration has given the military authority to take the fight to the enemy in new ways.
“The new strategy highlights that this is a new war,” he told reporters at the time. “The gloves are off. We’ve got now these authorities we need to be able to go and target the Taliban network … That is our new strategy going forward and it’s definitely been a game-changer and the Taliban is definitely feeling it.”
“All the areas where they thought they were safe and they are no longer so,” he further remarked.
Thank you, President Trump!
Also helps to not have to be in Iraq at the same time.