In recent months, there has been much discussion and debate in the media about the internal divisions within the Taliban, and speculation about the potential consequences. Some Taliban leaders have even publicly criticized the current situation and the policies of the group‘s leadership. Certain foreign circles have suggested that there are members of the Taliban who, if given the opportunity, would take steps to create a system that is acceptable to the international community and could be recognized. Some within the Taliban have attempted to reinforce this impression with their statements. However, if we look at the group‘s history over the past three decades, it is clear that we should not expect any positive changes from within the Taliban.
When the Taliban first came to power, it was said that there were non–Taliban forces, including supporters of Zahir Shah, and that when they took power, a legal nationwide government would be formed and the Taliban would return to their Madrassas. The anonymity of Taliban leaders and commanders provided an opportunity for strange speculations and propaganda, such as the one surrounding Mullah Baradar, for whom the Taliban created a strange personality and identity. Some called him a Pakistani colonel, others a cadre of the previous communist party, and yet others called him a Zahir Shah infiltrator and a liberal person living in the West. Political forces and people had heated debates over these baseless claims, wasting a lot of time and energy. However, the Taliban showed that they were a socio-political movement that had grown roots in the region over many years due to systematic propaganda and extensive financial support, recruited from among the vast rural masses and the urban deprived population, had regional and global allies, and held horrible illusions about the world and life. This destructive force cannot be stopped or moderated by financial incentives or political concessions; instead, it becomes stronger and more destructive. Even those Taliban members who have experienced the comforts of the world cannot change the course of this group from destruction, negation, ties with international terrorism, and black economy to become a political force with the authority to run the country and lead the nation. Such a transformation, if possible, cannot be achieved by surrendering and giving financial and political concessions; instead, the Taliban group must either be neutralized by armed resistance or go through the process of facing the harsh social realities and fade away slowly.
It is unrealistic to expect any positive change from the Taliban, as they lack the capacity to take positive action. This leaves no option but to resist them. If we ignore their barbarism over the past thirty years, the past year and a half should be enough evidence to show that any hope of change from the Taliban is an illusion. If the opposing forces do not take joint action and continue to listen to Sirajuddin Haqqani‘s protests against Mullah Hibatullah and the dissatisfaction of Mullah Baradar and his followers, they are contributing to the continued destruction of the country. Future generations will not only curse the Taliban, but also those who failed to take action.
