Sean
Who are the Taliban? The Taliban were originally different groups of Islamic guerilla fighters in Afghanistan that were fighting against Soviet control in the early 90’s. They were united by the US and given money and weapons to help them ward off Soviet forces. They successfully defeated the Soviets and then came to power in Afghanistan.
However, it should be noted that the US didn’t support Taliban ideology, they just had a common enemy in the Soviets. The Taliban have an extremely conservative Islamic outlook. When they took control of the country, they banned things like television, music, cinema, the internet, education for girls aged 10 and over, and banned many other shockingly regular things.
In 2001, the terrorist group Al Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, attacks the US on September 11 in retaliation for their interference and mistreatment of Muslims and Muslim nations. The Taliban give refuge to bin Laden and keep him hidden from the US. In response, US President George W. Bush invades Afghanistan, overthrows the Taliban rule, and props up a democratic government.
Afghanistan enters into a civil war between Taliban and Afghani forces, who were supported by US troops. There is a lot of bloodshed and many American’s questioned if it was crucial that the US remain there. In 2020, then President Donald Trump enters an agreement with the Taliban that the US would start to withdraw troops if the Taliban breaks all their ties with terrorist groups like Al Qaeda.
Which brings us to today. now President Joe Biden is following through with the actions started by President Trump, but for slightly different reasons.
Trump said he would withdraw US forces from Afghanistan if the Taliban would cut ties with terrorist groups and end the civil war. Biden on the other hand, is washing his hands of the war in Afghanistan and says the 300,000 Afghani troops have the capability to manage the 85,000 Taliban guerilla fighters. Biden has set a date of Aug 31, 2021 for the full removal of all US troops from the country. And this on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
In response to this withdrawal of troops, the Taliban have advanced on Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, is ousted and flees out of the country for his safety and the democratic government collapses. The Taliban have started planning their political rule over the country.
