Taliban

The Taliban is a political and militant organization in Afghanistan. Its official name is the Islamic Movement of Taliban. The group also uses the name Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for its state. The word "Taliban" comes from the Pashto language. It means "students," which is the plural of "Talib."

The group follows an ideology based on Pashtun nationalism and the Deobandi movement of Islamic fundamentalism. This matters because the group's control fundamentally changes the laws and social structures of the nation.

The Taliban governs through a strict interpretation of Sharia law. Sharia is a system of religious law that regulates many aspects of daily life. Under this system, the government enforces specific rules regarding behavior, clothing, and social roles. For example, the Taliban requires women to wear head-to-toe coverings, such as the burqa. They also prohibit women from traveling without male guardians. Furthermore, the group has banned female speech and most forms of education for girls.

The roots of the movement lie in the religious schools of Kandahar. Many of its original leaders were trained during the Soviet-Afghan War, which lasted from 1979 to 1992. During that war, the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan. This led to fighting by various Mujahideen factions. Some of these leaders later became part of the Taliban. The movement emerged in 1994 during the Second Afghan Civil War. This war began in 1992 after the fall of a Soviet-backed regime.

In 1994, the Taliban grew as a prominent faction in the civil war. The movement consisted largely of warlords from the Pashtun areas in eastern and southern Afghanistan. Under the leadership of Mullah Omar, the group spread throughout much of the country. They eventually seized the capital city, Kabul, in 1996. This established the First Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. This government was opposed by the Northern Alliance, which held international recognition.

From 1996 to 2001, the Taliban ruled approximately 90% of Afghanistan. During this period, the group was criticized for many actions. They were condemned for massacres against civilians and the persecution of ethnic minorities. They also destroyed significant cultural monuments. One notable example was the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan. The group also denied UN food supplies to starving civilians. These actions led to widespread international condemnation.

The Taliban's first period of rule ended in late 2001. Following the September 11 attacks, an American-led invasion began in October 2001. This invasion was linked to the Taliban's ally, al-Qaeda. The Taliban government collapsed by December 2001. Many members fled to the neighboring country of Pakistan. For the next twenty years, the group fought an insurgency. They fought against the US-backed Islamic Republic and NATO-led forces.

In 2021, the Taliban launched a major military offensive. This occurred as coalition forces were departing the country. In August 2021, the group recaptured Kabul and overthrew the Islamic Republic. This reestablished the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Since their return, the country has faced major economic changes. The Afghanistan government budget lost 80% of its funding. This has led to widespread food insecurity.

The current status of the Taliban remains complex in global politics. Many countries designate the Taliban as a terrorist organization. Most of the international community does not recognize the Taliban government. As of 2025, only Russia has granted the government diplomatic recognition. The group continues to implement the strict policies from its earlier rule. This includes the total ban on education for girls and restrictions on women's employment. These decisions continue to shape the lives of all Afghans.