I haven't written an "Adventurers" account on Abdul-Ghani Baradar (I may or may not InshaAllah) but I find his among the most fascinating careers in modern history, mainly cos participated in several major events with ups and downs that most people didn't know about

since that picture with Baradar standing triumphantly next to America's foreign minister Pompeo is circulating, let me recap this chap's career very briefly:

Baradar served as a foot soldier in southern Afghanistan during war versus Soviets where he was injured; he then helped found Taliban with his close friend Umar Mujahid and played a major role in their capture of western Afghanistan in mid-1990s and northern Afghanistan later

during these campaigns Baradar typically distinguished himself as a more cautious and pragmatic commander compared to more flamboyant and/or ruthless counterparts; he helped capture Ghaur (1996), Bamyan (1998-99), and Taluqan (2000)

When US invaded in 2001 Baradar pulled back to besieged Kunduz with rest of the Taliban northern corps; however unlike his colleague Fazil Mazlumyar, he shrewdly did not trust Dostum's word and did not surrender, instead slipping out when the city fell (perhaps via Pak airlift)

Baradar ended up in southern Afghanistan where he along with Ubaidullah Akhund were put in charge of besieged Kandahar by Umar. 1 account ( @BetteDam) claims he secretly tipped off Hamid Karzai v an incoming attack, probs cos Karzai was seen as more amenable than northern militias

Once it became clear that Kandahar would fall, Ubaidullah and Baradar tried to negotiate a surrender but were flatly rebuffed. One popular rumour claims that Baradar personally drove Umar to escape city on a motorcycle, but actually that was Umar's other mate Abdul-Jabbar Umari

Baradar helped set up Quetta-based command and, narrowly surviving a spree of colleagues killed-or-captured in 2006-07, ended up as its practical leader - a role where he by every account excelled until he was captured by Pakistani intelligence in 2010.

there was some controversy over this: Baradar's arrest had been wanted by Yanques, but Karzai objected saying that he was pursuing talks with Baradar. Its importance has been exaggerated since (seem to have been talks about talks, not unusual), but a suspicious Pak then held him

while also refusing to hand Baradar over to America. There are conflicting accounts abt captivity (ranging from horrible, like Ubaidullah's, to relatively free) but its impact on Taliban operations was key since it triggered squabbles among his peers. Giustozzi (2019) here:

By mid 2010s the Pakistani approach had relaxed and Baradar played a backroom role in Taliban politics. It wasn't till 2018 though that he was released/restored in order to negotiate. In short as an eventful/interesting a career as anybody else, even by Afghan history standards