The Taliban has become a formidable group predominantly operating in Afghanistan. The Pashto dialect makes reference to the Taliban which translates into students. The participants began their activities at the beginning of the 1990s. More predominantly, the Taliban’s efforts became particularly concentrated in the northern parts of Pakistan after Soviet troops withdrew from the region. The group's activities culminated in the death of 3571 individuals as of 2017 (Dudley, 2018). The evaluations conducted during the Year indicated that members affiliated with the Taliban controlled approximately 11% of Afghanistan. Additionally, the movement activities continue clamoring to extend their jurisdiction to 29% out of the total 398 districts in the nation (BBC News, 2020). The current paper aims at evaluating different aspects associated with the Taliban's operations.
Group History and Identity
Group perspective
In 1989, the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan culminated in a power vacuum. The country became rife with conflicting mujahideen groups. The Taliban became a powerful record in Afghanistan from 1996-2001. The movement predominantly comprised of students who hailed from the eastern or southern part of the country. The individuals had received traditional Islamic teachings and had participated in the war between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. The statements made by some of the movements notable members highlight the group's perspective with respect to its identity and history. For example, Mullah Omar made a speech in 1994 addressing a group of students. The religious disciples had converged in Panjway. He expressed himself and said that " the religion of Allah is being stepped on, the people are openly displaying evil " (Kuehn, 2018, p. 36). The statement highlights the Taliban's primary goal that relates to protecting Islam-related ideologies. Omar also explained the control that " the evil ones ” had a mass in different regions of Afghanistan (Kuehn, 2018, p. 36). His statement served as a call to action for the members present. Jihad enables the Taliban to advocate for its ideologies while dispensing its definition of justice.
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The perspective of others in that country and region
The people residing in Afghanistan consider the Taliban as a key threat to the nation's democratic institutions. The implementation of the groups rules and guidelines provides an avenue of suppressing the constitutional privileges of Afghanistan's inhabitants while compromising the region's security. The perceptions arise from the Taliban's success in thwarting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's efforts withstanding its counter-insurgency operations. The movement indicated an increasing concern with predominantly focusing on local issues and extensively limited its horizons to Afghanistan (Schott, 2012). The Taliban indicated a reduced interest in the issues that became prevalent among Muslims, Palestinians and Kashmiris in addition to Chechnyans residing in other nations.
The cumulative or cross-cutting cleavages that exist
Over the years, the Taliban has experienced some challenges that have threatened its existence. The contentious issues faced by group members relate to the selection of the appropriate successors. For instance, Mullah Omar's death the selection of a leader to take over his responsibilities. Initially, Mullah Akhtar Mansour's need to ascend into power resulted in an unprecedented uproar from senior figures and family members associated with Mullah Omar (BBC News, 2015). The splits evident in the group became apparent as Mullah Yaqoub wanted to replace his father just like Omar’s brother-Mullah Manan.
An evaluation to determine whether issues of group/coalition membership and/or identity played roles in initiating the violence and how
Initially, the Taliban gained favor from Afghanistan's Muslim population and the individuals residing in Somalia. The group predominantly enjoyed the tacit and direct support provided for it to continue with its initiatives. Over time, people in Afghanistan refrained from championing for the group's causes. As a result, the movement had to engage in efforts that would enhance its identity among targeted populations. More specifically, the Taliban has embarked on efforts to reinforce its tribal identity underscoring the participation of Pashtuns (Dorronsoro, 2009). Furthermore, the American army has embarked on the exploitation of the Taliban's weakening tribal identity to eliminate its operations from 2002.
Aspects motivating violence continuation
The main political/social/economic issues involved with the origin/continuation violence
The violence reached by the Taliban and its continuation emanated from the group's need to establish a government based on Islamic principles. The movement endeavors to implement Mullah Omar's edicts throughout Afghanistan despite any resistance encountered. Over time, the group developed the notion that the United States posed a threat to the region. As a result, the Taliban intensified its violent undertakings to gain control over territories and their resources.
How the personality and worldview of major leaders on either side has affected the conflict
The Taliban's and American forces leaders have a continued distrust that has become an impediment in the formation of peaceful contracts. The authoritative figures have different religious beliefs that have become an integral factor in their struggle for power. Additionally, the unwillingness of the parties involved to cede control further escalates the clashes between their forces.
Group support
Domestic group support
The Taliban has continued receiving support from Afghanis. Initially, the group extensively engaged in initiatives that aimed at protecting residents from extortion or other incidents involving banditry. More specifically, a total of 1 million refugees from Afghanistan benefited from its activities after their displacement from their home countries. Furthermore, religious parties including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islami provided the Manpower by mobilizing their students to join the Taliban's causes.
International group support
Internationally, the Taliban benefited from Pakistan’s intelligence agency. The 1980s culminated in a duration in which the CIA provided members of the Taliban with the necessary arms to resist the Soviet Union. Furthermore, Pakistan enjoys Saudi Arabia's support with respect to the policies implemented pertaining to the most effective strategies of dealing with Afghanistan.
The kind of support offered
Operating in affiliation with the Inter-services Intelligence agency Gulbuddin Hekmatyar provided the resources that facilitated the establishment of the Taliban. More specifically, the ISI ensure that the group had access to direct combat, financial and logistical in addition to military support up to 2001. Domestically, the Taliban received individuals willing to become part of its personnel.
How the use of violence has affected the group/coalition’s overall agenda / socio-economic status/political future
The extensive use of violence has affected the Taliban's political standing. The movement initially received extensive support internationally and domestically. For instance, the United Nations with the assistance of America focused on sanctioning the Taliban in 1999 relying on the provisions of resolution 1267 of the United Nations Security Council. Even so, the group has enhanced its social economic status acquiring approximately 45000- 85000 individuals fighting for its courses on a full-time basis. Additionally, the Taliban controls vast resources that facilitate its activities.
How violence has affected the country
Domestically
Afghanistan has lost many lives as a result of the continued brutality. From 2001, approximately 157,000 individuals have become casualties with respect to continued acts of violence. Furthermore, improvised explosive devices affect available infrastructure and public amenities. Thus, the country faces an extensive challenge with respect to conducting activities necessary for economic development. War affects Afghanistan’s inhabitants. More specifically, a 2009 report issued by the Afghan ministry of public health indicated the prevalence of mental health issues among 2/3 of the nation's residents.
Internationally
Afghanistan had implemented a policy that emphasized on neutrality with respect to interacting with foreign nations prior to its invasion by the Soviet Union. Despite the efforts made by foreign policymakers to increase the efficiency with which Afghanistan related with non-communist nations, the initiatives proved futile. The violence in Kabul after 1989 culminated in the withdrawal of various countries that participated in different missions to improve the region. The Taliban was seen as an appropriate solution to the undertakings associated with warlords who had taken over Afghanistan from 1992. However, the group's implementation of Sharia laws averted the goodwill it had amassed at the start of its operations. As a result, foreign nations increasingly refrain from associating with Afghanistan or encouraging investments in the country.
Why the violence continues
The Taliban engages in continued violence in a bid to take over the territories under the jurisdiction of American forces. Additionally, the group's brutal actions Focuses on increasing its control in Afghanistan. More specifically, the Taliban has impact on increasing its membership from regions previously also controlled by tribal enemy groups.
The peace efforts that been made, if any/failed
In 2020, the Taliban finalized its peace negotiations with the American government and signed the corresponding peace agreement. The contracts directed the United States to withdraw its estimated 8500 troops. The operation had to take place within a span of 135 days. Furthermore, full withdrawal hard to become evident within not more than 14 months. On the other hand, the Taliban had to engage in preventative measures to deter the actions of terrorist groups. Additionally, the Afghanistan government also negotiated with the movement's leaders from March 2020 (Cfr.org, 2021). Even so, the parties involved in forming the agreements continue engaging in combat. From 2019 to 2020, Afghanistan became exposed to increased raids by American forces. The Taliban has continued attacking various regions in Afghanistan such as Kabul.
How the future looks like for the group and country, in terms of stability
Current projections indicate that the Taliban should expect chronic attacks from the American forces. The group may continue thriving in the region as it continues amassing more members. Even so, Afghanistan becomes increasingly vulnerable to continued political instability. In 2019, the former American President Donald Trump had scheduled talks with members of the Taliban (Minniti, 2019). The negotiations excluded President Ashraf Ghani’s participation further weakening the nation's government while acknowledging the power wielded by the group.
Conclusion
The Taliban has gained notoriety over the years owing to its act of violence in Afghanistan. Initially, the group received international as well as domestic support that culminated in its extensive growth. Even so, the Taliban's need to control a vast territory and implement Sharia laws has culminated in increase clashes with Afghanistan’s government with the assistance of other foreign nations.
References
BBC News. (2015, September 16). Mullah Omar: Taliban 'resolve splits' over successor Mansour. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-34272028
BBC News. (2020, February 27). Who are the Taliban? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11451718
Cfr.org. (2021, March 25). War in Afghanistan. Global Conflict Tracker. https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/war-afghanistan
Dorronsoro, G. (2009). The Taliban's winning strategy in Afghanistan (Vol. 29). Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Dudley, D. (2018, December 5). The Deadliest Terrorist Groups In The World Today. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominicdudley/2018/12/05/deadliest-terrorist-groups-in-the-world/?sh=6f477b172b3e
Kuehn, F. (2018). Taliban history of war and peace in Afghanistan. Accord: International Review of Peace Initiatives, 27.
Minniti, F. (2019, November 12). Political instability in Afghanistan and the terrorist threat. European Eye on Radicalization. https://eeradicalization.com/political-instability-in-afghanistan-and-the-terrorist-threat/
Schott, J. (2012). The differences between Taliban and Al Qaeda. Retrieved September, 20, 2016.
