In the late 1990's, much of Afghanistan was ruled by a violent group named the Taliban-- a Pashto word for "students". Strict, oppressive Islamic laws were enforced in the areas that the Taliban held. After they ruled the land for about five years, the United States removed the group from power in Afghanistan. Since then, the group has claimed responsibility for several terrorist attacks throughout the country. The Taliban continue to have power today, and hope to return to their former power.
The Taliban originated in the early 1990's as a group of farmers and scholars studying Islam. When Russia attempted to occupy Afghanistan, resistance fighters fought back. When Russia withdrew from the country, groups of these resistance fighters fought against each other for power. One of these groups, the Taliban, conquered a few southern provinces during this time of civil war. They continued to conquer more provinces until they controlled a majority of Afghanistan.
The Taliban ruled the land from 1996 to late 2001, enforcing oppressive law in their holdings. During this time, they provided a refuge for al-Qaeda to train and recruit fighters. After the 9/11 attacks, the United States launched a campaign against al-Qaeda, and Afghanistan was set in their crosshairs. In October of 2001, the U.S. carried out bombardments and airstrikes to remove the Taliban from power. Northern anti-Taliban fighters entered Afghanistan and liberated Kabul. A new government was established, but the Taliban was not destroyed.
A large percentage of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan are committed by the Taliban. In a 2011 bombing against a military base in the eastern Wardack province, 77 U.S. soldiers were injured and 2 Afghan civilians were killed. In 2014, an attack on a restaurant in Kabul left 21 dead, 3 of which were American citizens. Even more attacks were carried out in recent months, leaving too many dead or wounded. The Taliban are one of the very reasons that the Middle East is such a dangerous place. Even through the U.S.'s best efforts, this organization was still able to survive and remain powerful. To rehabilitate the struggling countries in the middle east, someone needs to eradicate violent groups like the Taliban and secure future well-being for all people inhabiting the Middle East.
Sources:
http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/afghan_taliban.html
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/20/world/taliban-fast-facts/
The Taliban originated in the early 1990's as a group of farmers and scholars studying Islam. When Russia attempted to occupy Afghanistan, resistance fighters fought back. When Russia withdrew from the country, groups of these resistance fighters fought against each other for power. One of these groups, the Taliban, conquered a few southern provinces during this time of civil war. They continued to conquer more provinces until they controlled a majority of Afghanistan.
The Taliban ruled the land from 1996 to late 2001, enforcing oppressive law in their holdings. During this time, they provided a refuge for al-Qaeda to train and recruit fighters. After the 9/11 attacks, the United States launched a campaign against al-Qaeda, and Afghanistan was set in their crosshairs. In October of 2001, the U.S. carried out bombardments and airstrikes to remove the Taliban from power. Northern anti-Taliban fighters entered Afghanistan and liberated Kabul. A new government was established, but the Taliban was not destroyed.
A large percentage of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan are committed by the Taliban. In a 2011 bombing against a military base in the eastern Wardack province, 77 U.S. soldiers were injured and 2 Afghan civilians were killed. In 2014, an attack on a restaurant in Kabul left 21 dead, 3 of which were American citizens. Even more attacks were carried out in recent months, leaving too many dead or wounded. The Taliban are one of the very reasons that the Middle East is such a dangerous place. Even through the U.S.'s best efforts, this organization was still able to survive and remain powerful. To rehabilitate the struggling countries in the middle east, someone needs to eradicate violent groups like the Taliban and secure future well-being for all people inhabiting the Middle East.
Sources:
http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/afghan_taliban.html
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/20/world/taliban-fast-facts/