It’s been two years since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. However, during these two years, the Taliban have shown that they are not open to change, and their violent approach continues to be a fundamental part of their ideology. It seems that by changing this approach, everything the Taliban stands for will be compromised. Over these two years, the Taliban have left a grim track record and practically implemented what is inherent in Talibanism. Their monopoly on political power, depriving the Afghan people of their basic rights, oppression, aggression, and their biased treatment of Afghan women and ethnic groups, are clear signs of enmity, hatred, and vindictiveness. The Taliban still function as a militant group and have neither the interest nor the capacity to establish a functional government or system. However, this very group can govern the fate of defenseless Afghan people for years to come through violence and extremism. So, what is the way forward? And if the Taliban were to remain in power, what would be the fate of the country? Is war inevitable, or will the Taliban be willing to pursue peace? Here, we attempt to briefly address these questions.
Armed Resistance and Fight Against the Taliban
In addressing the struggle against the Taliban, two approaches are present. A significant number advocate for armed resistance, particularly following the death of Akmal Amiri, a member of the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), and in light of solidarity from various ethnicities and segments of the population. This has sparked a debate on whether war against the Taliban remains inevitable. At the same time, others advocate for non-violent resistance, asserting that the Taliban’s approach must be transformed through ongoing cultural and civil efforts. According to their perspective, armed struggle merely substitutes one front of war for another, without fundamentally altering the situation.
While the non-violent struggle perspective is inspirational and has yielded results against oppressors, it’s not the solution to Afghanistan’s predicament. We are not facing a monarchical or military regime, but rather an extremist group that disregards human values. This group, operating under an ideological banner, seeks eradication and absolute dominance.
We all know that the Taliban returned to power through a deal, and over the course of twenty years of war, this group committed the most heinous crimes against the people of Afghanistan. From bombings in mosques and religious gatherings to the destruction of schools, stadiums, and hospitals, the “legitimate” activities of this group persisted. With the Taliban’s resurgence, the threat posed by this group to Afghanistan’s future appears substantial both externally and internally.
On the international front, the Taliban, as an affiliated group, have seized power through a proxy war. As we are aware, the Taliban didn’t emerge overnight; this is the second time they have come to power by force. This indicates that the Taliban group has reformed and regained power with specific objectives in mind. Pakistan has significantly invested in the Taliban, intending to exert influence over Afghanistan. Pakistan is playing this game subtly and has even convinced the world that it is assisting in stabilizing Afghanistan.
Such an affiliated group can never defend Afghanistan’s national interests. This group, much like other terrorist factions in the region, maintains connections and is engineered to serve the interests of supporting nations. The Taliban merely serves as a tool for external goals, playing a role in a geopolitical game in the region. Once they deviate from their defined objectives, they face backlash from major actors. We have witnessed the ugly behavior of this group towards the people of Afghanistan. Their actions have left the country vulnerable and caused significant harm to people’s lives. Banning women from education, altering the educational curriculum, and enforcing hypocritical national and religious rules will set Afghanistan back for centuries.
The Taliban, over the past twenty years, have never been inclined towards peace talks or negotiations with the Afghan government and people. Rather, they used violence as a means to power and only engaged in discussions and deals with the United States. If the Taliban were truly seeking peace, there would be a suitable opportunity for dialogue and reconciliation after their control over Afghanistan. During these two years, they would demonstrate their intention and willingness for peace talks. Furthermore, if the Taliban were content with political power alone, the possibility of engaging in discussions regarding political participation would have been feasible. The Taliban’s stance could have evolved over these two years, and avenues for the participation of various ethnic groups and other factions within the government could have been established through conventional methods such as elections or councils.
The Taliban had a significant opportunity to resolve ongoing disputes and conflicts in Afghanistan, where they could have created a framework for dialogue and peace. This framework could have facilitated an agreement on the new government structure, the type of system, citizens’ demands, and ethnic participation. However, the Taliban have not only limited themselves to political power but they pursue elimination. From the outset, the Taliban actively promoted a culture of division and hostility, and they have persisted in actions such as eradicating the Persian language from institutions and opposing national and traditional elements of Afghanistan. Their actions have included denigration and insults towards prominent figures of other ethnic groups. Throughout this period, the Taliban have displayed both political and cultural violence, indicating their intention to impose their sinister ambitions and objectives through forceful means across the entire country.
Considering the aforementioned issues and drawing from forty years of war experience in Afghanistan, I conclude that as long as structural problems in Afghanistan remain unresolved, war is inevitable. The Taliban’s treatment of other ethnic groups resembles that of occupied and foreign peoples, as they attempt to even change sectarian and religious divides. Identity issues hold sensitivity anywhere in the world, and no one is willing to compromise or stay silent on identity matters. The Taliban leaders will face the people’s wrath, and the people of Afghanistan staunchly defend their own identity. Today, Afghanistan requires an all-inclusive government that considers the national diversity of the country and upholds values like equal citizenship rights, human rights, and women’s rights. The Taliban’s approach across various issues undoubtedly fuels ongoing tension and conflict, creating the conditions for the persistence of armed resistance.
Read this article in Farsi here.
