08-22-2021, 12:30 AM
As I understand it, and pretending to no expertise on the subject...
The Afghan Taliban was a creation of Pakistan (ISI) to control Afghanistan (which they consider a threat because the Pushtun/Pashtun live on both sides of the border with Pakistan). Pakistan is paranoid (also about India) and ISI uses that. There is another Taliban in Pakistan which ISI does *not* sponsor or control through the Haqani (sp?) Network. The principal activity of the Afghan Taliban until recently was to provide muscle for Afghan drug (heroin) gangs.
Pushtuns are a plurality (not a majority - 40%?) of the people living in geographic Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban is a small percentage of Pushtuns, but controls with extreme/traditional violence surpassed only by the local Islamic State ("ISIS") franchise. I am led to believe that most Afghans, including most Pushtuns, would very much like to be rid of the Taliban (as well as ISIS and foreigners in general, including those who live in the next valley).
Since Pakistan has nukes it is not possible to root out ISI, causing the stalemate which existed until the US resigned the game.
The Afghan Taliban was a creation of Pakistan (ISI) to control Afghanistan (which they consider a threat because the Pushtun/Pashtun live on both sides of the border with Pakistan). Pakistan is paranoid (also about India) and ISI uses that. There is another Taliban in Pakistan which ISI does *not* sponsor or control through the Haqani (sp?) Network. The principal activity of the Afghan Taliban until recently was to provide muscle for Afghan drug (heroin) gangs.
Pushtuns are a plurality (not a majority - 40%?) of the people living in geographic Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban is a small percentage of Pushtuns, but controls with extreme/traditional violence surpassed only by the local Islamic State ("ISIS") franchise. I am led to believe that most Afghans, including most Pushtuns, would very much like to be rid of the Taliban (as well as ISIS and foreigners in general, including those who live in the next valley).
Since Pakistan has nukes it is not possible to root out ISI, causing the stalemate which existed until the US resigned the game.
Non-practicing atheist