The Uncertain Power Dynamics Of Afghanistan: A Nation In Transition

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in south-central Asia. It has long been a target for empire builders due to its location along important trade routes connecting southern and eastern Asia to Europe and the Middle East. The country's landscape of mountains and deserts, as well as the fierce independence of its people, have made it difficult for empires to maintain control. Afghanistan has a history of civil war and has been invaded by the Soviet Union and the United States. The Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, has held power in Afghanistan twice, most recently taking control in 2021 after the withdrawal of US troops. The Taliban has imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, restricted women's rights, and neglected basic services, leading to economic decline and widespread malnutrition. The Taliban is currently working to build a large army and has been accused of persecuting former Afghan military and police personnel.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, twenty years after their ouster by US-led forces, has had far-reaching consequences for the country and its people. Within less than ten days, the Taliban swept across every province, reaching the presidential palace in Kabul, leading to the collapse of the US-backed government and the flight of President Ashraf Ghani.

The Taliban's return to power has resulted in a rollback of rights, particularly for women and girls. Most girls over the age of 12 have been excluded from classes, and women have been banned from working, teaching, and attending universities. They have also been barred from parks and had their travel curtailed in the absence of a male guardian. These restrictions on women's rights have been condemned by many Western and Muslim-majority countries, as well as Islamic scholars, and pose a significant obstacle to the formal recognition of the Taliban administration by Western governments.

Under the Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law, the country's economy has floundered, with malnutrition soaring and hundreds of thousands of jobs lost. The group's close ties with al-Qaeda and other terrorist organisations have also raised international concerns about Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for terrorists.

The Taliban's return to power has been marked by a crackdown on civil liberties, including intimidation of journalists and restrictions on press freedoms, with over 200 news organisations forced to close. There have also been reports of human rights violations, including the violent suppression of demonstrations and the forced disappearance of protesters and activists.

The international community is grappling with how to engage with the Taliban, with no country formally recognising the Taliban government as of August 2023. The Taliban's progress in reducing corruption and narcotics cultivation may help bring foreign recognition and the lifting of sanctions, as well as the release of frozen central bank assets. However, the group's actions and policies, particularly regarding women's rights and human rights more broadly, continue to draw widespread criticism and condemnation.

The Taliban's crackdown on women's rights

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have imposed a series of restrictions on women's rights and freedoms. The Taliban's crackdown on women's rights has been described as a "suffocating crackdown" and the "world's most serious women's rights crisis".

Education

The Taliban have blocked access to education for the vast majority of secondary school girls. In March 2022, the Taliban sent girls home from school, citing a "technical issue" related to their uniforms. As of May 2023, girls are still denied access to secondary education. In September 2021, the Taliban also restricted access to education for teenage girls by only allowing boys to resume schooling. In December 2022, the Taliban barred women from attending universities.

Employment

The Taliban have prohibited women in Afghanistan from working in most sectors beyond health and education. In December 2022, the Taliban banned women from working in non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This resulted in some NGOs being unable to continue their work in Afghanistan. The Taliban have also ordered the closure of all beauty salons, costing 60,000 women their jobs.

Freedom of Movement

Women in Afghanistan are banned from travelling more than 45 miles (70 km) without a close male relative.

Clothing

The Taliban have mandated that women in Afghanistan wear face coverings in public. In May 2022, the Taliban published a decree requiring all women in Afghanistan to wear full-body coverings when in public (either a burqa or an abaya paired with a niqāb, which leaves only the eyes uncovered).

Other Restrictions

The Taliban have banned women from accessing gyms, public baths, public parks, and amusement parks. Women are also forbidden from laughing loudly, as it is considered improper for a stranger to hear a woman's voice.

International Response

The international community has unanimously condemned the Taliban's crackdown on women's rights. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) described the ban on Afghan women working for the United Nations as "unprecedented" and asserted "the indispensable role of women in Afghan society". The international community has called on the Taliban to respect and protect the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's ties with al-Qaeda

Despite the Taliban's assurances to distance themselves from al-Qaeda, as outlined in the Doha agreement, their ties remain strong. Al-Qaeda has been able to establish training camps and profit from illicit activities, such as drug trafficking and smuggling, with the Taliban's support. The Taliban provide al-Qaeda with resources, including weapons, housing, and access to their smuggling networks.

Furthermore, the Taliban's policy towards militants is complex and involves enablement, restrictions, and crackdowns. While they provide safe havens and welfare payments to some groups, they also restrict their activities to prevent attacks on the US and its allies.

The Taliban's supreme leader, Maulvi Hibatullah Akhundzada, has demonstrated an uncompromising stance and a continued willingness to support major jihadist groups like al-Qaeda. He has emphasised the ideological battle with the Western world and shown no signs of limiting the space for such groups in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's relationship with al-Qaeda is further evidenced by the presence of al-Qaeda leaders within the Taliban's administration and the sharing of profits from gold and gem mines. This indicates a symbiotic relationship, with both groups benefiting financially and operationally from each other.

However, it is important to note that the Taliban have been working to neutralise certain terrorist groups, such as ISIS-K, and have successfully eliminated some of their leaders. This may be due to their own self-interest and the need to consolidate their power.

In conclusion, the Taliban's ties with al-Qaeda remain a concern, and the Taliban continue to provide support and resources to the group. While there may be some restrictions on al-Qaeda's activities, the overall relationship is strong, and the Taliban's supreme leader maintains an uncompromising stance. The Taliban's role in counterterrorism is complex and driven by their own interests and survival.

The Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law

The Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia law, has been characterised as harsh and draconian, sparking fear and speculation about the future of Afghanistan and its people, especially women and girls.

Sharia law is derived from the Quran and other holy Islamic texts, providing a set of rules for Muslim life that can affect every aspect of daily life. While it provides a broad framework, it is open to interpretation by religious scholars, and the specific laws and restrictions imposed can vary. The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law is informed by the Deobandi strand of Hanafi jurisprudence, commonly found in several parts of Southeast Asia, and their own lived experience as a predominantly rural and tribal society.

During their previous rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia law, which included severe restrictions on women's rights and freedoms. Women were barred from work and education, subjected to mandatory dress codes, and effectively put under house arrest. They were not allowed to leave their homes without a male guardian and were at risk of flogging if they disobeyed the rules. The Taliban also implemented harsh criminal punishments, or hudood, including public executions, amputations, and stoning for crimes such as murder, adultery, and theft. These interpretations and applications of Islamic law led to Afghanistan becoming a pariah state during the 1990s.

Following their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has provided vague assurances about respecting women's rights and education within the framework of Islamic law. However, they have been criticised for their ambiguity and lack of clarity on the specific rules and restrictions they intend to impose. There are concerns that the Taliban will revert to their previous harsh interpretations and enforcement of Sharia law, despite claims of reform. The group's actions since their return to power have been contradictory, with reports of female journalists being allowed to resume work while simultaneously cracking down on protesters and restricting women's movements and employment.

The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law is considered more brutal and extreme when compared to other Islamic nations that also implement corporal punishment. They have been criticised for their speedy verdicts and lack of due process, with little regard for individual rights and fair trials. While the group claims that their harsh applications of Sharia law are effective in deterring crime, legal observers and experts argue that their understanding of Sharia law is disputed and that moderation and independent reasoning are allowed within the Islamic legal framework.

The Taliban's impact on Afghanistan's economy

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021 has had a devastating impact on the country's economy. The country's GDP has shrunk by up to 30% since the takeover, with an estimated 700,000 jobs lost. The economy has also suffered due to a pause in aid by some countries and international organisations, which had previously been the lifeline of the economy and public health sector.

The Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law has resulted in the rollback of women's rights, with most women banned from working, leading to a loss of income for families. The Taliban's restrictions on female education have also negatively impacted the economy, with women making up about 30% of NGO workers in the country. The ban on female education has also disrupted the world's largest aid operation, as female aid workers are crucial to reaching women and girls in conservative rural areas.

The Taliban's policies have led to international isolation, with no foreign government formally recognising the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as the de jure government of Afghanistan. This has further impacted the economy, as the Taliban are unable to access billions of dollars in assets blocked by the US. Additionally, the revocation of the country's central bank's credentials has halted basic banking transactions, restricting critical cash flow relied on by Afghan families.

The Taliban's crackdown on opium poppy cultivation, which previously contributed significantly to the country's revenue, has also impacted the economy. However, the group has increased coal exports to Pakistan. Overall, the Taliban's policies and the resulting international response have led to a sharp contraction and reconfiguration of the Afghan economy, with a bleak outlook for the future.

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