Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule: Implications on Women’s Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy
Background
Throughout history the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has faced numerous invasions, a series of civil wars and enormous bloodshed. In 1978 the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan seized power in a coup against President Mohamed Daoud in what is known as the Saur Revolution . This revolution is said to be the catalyst for upheaval and armed resistance that would follow for the next 20 years. Opposition of the communist regime resulted in the rise of guerilla mujahideen forces that quickly escalated into a civil war. The Soviet Union sent thousands of advisors in support of the PDPA government and soon established a soviet-organized government …show more content…
In essence, the CIA’s funding and military support of the mujahideen against the Soviet regime in Afghanistan is precedent for Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgence as a political and military force. After the Soviet Union withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, the U.S. discontinued its support of the mujahideen immediately thereafter leaving a political void. By 1996 the Taliban established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which would serve as headquarter for al-Qaeda. The September 11 terrorist attacks coordinated by al-Qaeda in 2001 would mark the beginning of the United States’ War on Terror. In the wake of the attacks, George W. Bush delivered an ultimatum to the Taliban government to turn over Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders operating in the country or face attack. The Taliban rejected President Bush’s demands prompting the U.S.’s war in Afghanistan to oust the Taliban …show more content…
invasion in Afghanistan, the Taliban and al-Qaeda forces have gone into hiding and retreated to southern provinces finding sanctuary in northern Pakistan region . However, in 2006 the Taliban infiltrated large areas in southern Afghanistan and by 2008 they had reached north towards Kabul . As the international community continues to pull out of Afghanistan, the government is still under capacity for handling a Taliban insurgency. However, even after the fall of the Taliban, Afghan women’s rights continue to be threatened by repressive edicts tied to the Taliban-era despite the constitutional rights afforded to women . The legacy of the Taliban in Afghan society permeates even in their absence. As Taliban forces move into Afghanistan, the possibility of a return to Taliban era may be very
Background
Throughout history the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has faced numerous invasions, a series of civil wars and enormous bloodshed. In 1978 the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan seized power in a coup against President Mohamed Daoud in what is known as the Saur Revolution . This revolution is said to be the catalyst for upheaval and armed resistance that would follow for the next 20 years. Opposition of the communist regime resulted in the rise of guerilla mujahideen forces that quickly escalated into a civil war. The Soviet Union sent thousands of advisors in support of the PDPA government and soon established a soviet-organized government …show more content…
In essence, the CIA’s funding and military support of the mujahideen against the Soviet regime in Afghanistan is precedent for Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgence as a political and military force. After the Soviet Union withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, the U.S. discontinued its support of the mujahideen immediately thereafter leaving a political void. By 1996 the Taliban established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which would serve as headquarter for al-Qaeda. The September 11 terrorist attacks coordinated by al-Qaeda in 2001 would mark the beginning of the United States’ War on Terror. In the wake of the attacks, George W. Bush delivered an ultimatum to the Taliban government to turn over Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders operating in the country or face attack. The Taliban rejected President Bush’s demands prompting the U.S.’s war in Afghanistan to oust the Taliban …show more content…
invasion in Afghanistan, the Taliban and al-Qaeda forces have gone into hiding and retreated to southern provinces finding sanctuary in northern Pakistan region . However, in 2006 the Taliban infiltrated large areas in southern Afghanistan and by 2008 they had reached north towards Kabul . As the international community continues to pull out of Afghanistan, the government is still under capacity for handling a Taliban insurgency. However, even after the fall of the Taliban, Afghan women’s rights continue to be threatened by repressive edicts tied to the Taliban-era despite the constitutional rights afforded to women . The legacy of the Taliban in Afghan society permeates even in their absence. As Taliban forces move into Afghanistan, the possibility of a return to Taliban era may be very