By K S Tomar
The rigid adherence of the Taliban’s top clan to its extremist ideology has not only alienated the Afghan population but also the international community.
Three years since its return to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban has proven disastrous, characterized by severe repression, especially against women, deteriorating relations with Pakistan, and ongoing struggles for international recognition. Once seen by some as a victory against foreign occupation, the rule has become a nightmare for the Afghan people, epitomizing tyranny, misogyny, and diplomatic isolation.
The Taliban's tenure in Kabul has exposed the severe limitations of their governance. The regime's inability to address international isolation, economic collapse, security threats, and internal divisions raises serious doubts about Afghanistan's future stability and the Taliban's longevity in power. The Taliban government remains largely unrecognized, hampering their ability to engage in formal diplomatic relations and access international financial systems. Afghanistan, heavily dependent on foreign aid, has seen significant reductions in aid flows since the Taliban's takeover, further straining an already fragile economy. Sanctions, particularly those imposed by the United States, have exacerbated the economic crisis, leading to widespread poverty and unemployment.
Its return has seen a brutal rollback of women's rights, reversing two decades of progress. Girls and women have been banned from attending secondary schools and universities, effectively erasing them from the public sphere. The regime's extremist ideology views women's education as a threat to their control, resulting in a generation of young women being denied the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to society. Severe restrictions on women's ability to work have also been imposed, barring them from most employment sectors. Women are required to adhere to strict dress codes and are forbidden from leaving their homes without a male guardian. These draconian measures have confined Afghan women to their homes, stripping them of their agency and reducing them to mere shadows in society.
The Taliban regime is facing hordes of challenges which primarily include its medieval style of ruling the country besides isolation from the West. Afghanistan’s economy is in freefall, with the currency depreciation and inflation skyrocketing. The banking system is on the verge of collapse, and the country faces severe cash shortages. Unemployment and poverty have worsened, leading to a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. Many Afghans are unable to meet basic needs, and food insecurity is rampant.
The Taliban's ability to maintain security is questioned as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) continues to carry out deadly attacks across Afghanistan. The threat posed by ISIS-K undermines the Taliban's claim to have restored stability in the country. Additionally, internal divisions within the Taliban, with different factions vying for power, could lead to infighting and destabilize their control.
Afghanistan remains a major producer of opium, and the Taliban has been accused of profiting from the drug trade. Despite vows to curb opium production, these efforts have been inconsistent, and the illicit economy continues to thrive, attracting international scrutiny and sanctions.
Relations with Pakistan, once seen as a close ally, have significantly deteriorated. The primary source of tension is the Taliban's refusal or inability to rein in militant groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that operate from Afghan soil and launch attacks against Pakistan. The TTP, emboldened by the Taliban's victory, has intensified its insurgency in Pakistan, leading to a surge in violence and instability. Pakistan's frustration with the Taliban's inaction has led to a hardening of its stance, with increased security measures along the border and diplomatic efforts to pressure the Taliban into taking action against the TTP.
The deteriorating relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban has broader regional implications. Pakistan, once a key player in Afghan affairs, now finds itself grappling with a hostile neighbor and a rising tide of extremism within its borders. The growing hostility between the two could destabilize the region further, with potential spillover effects for neighboring countries.
Since seizing power, the Taliban has faced a relentless struggle to gain international recognition. The regime's brutal rule and blatant disregard for human rights have made it a pariah on the global stage. No country, not even their former ally Pakistan, has granted formal recognition to the Taliban government. The lack of recognition has left the regime diplomatically isolated and economically crippled.
The Taliban’s quest for recognition has been met with skepticism and resistance. The international community, led by the United States and its allies, has made it clear that recognition would be contingent on the Taliban’s adherence to basic human rights norms, particularly the rights of women and minorities. However, the Taliban’s refusal to compromise on its hard-line stance has only deepened its isolation.
The economic consequences of this diplomatic isolation have been severe. Afghanistan’s economy, already fragile after decades of conflict, has been further devastated by the Taliban’s mismanagement and the loss of international aid. The country is on the brink of economic collapse, with widespread poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity. The Taliban’s inability to secure recognition and legitimacy has left Afghanistan in a state of perpetual crisis.
China has maintained cautious engagement with the Taliban, driven primarily by security concerns and economic interests. Beijing is wary of instability spilling over into its Xinjiang region, where it fears Uighur militants could find sanctuary. While China has not formally recognized the Taliban, it has sought to engage the regime to protect its investments, particularly in Afghanistan's mineral resources, and to secure the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from regional instability.
India's relationship with the Taliban is complex and cautious. India has historically supported Afghanistan's democratic governments and is concerned about the Taliban's ties with Pakistan-based militant groups. However, New Delhi has cautiously opened channels of communication with the Taliban, focusing on protecting its interests, including investments in Afghan infrastructure projects. India's engagement remains limited, driven by the desire to counterbalance Pakistan's influence in Afghanistan.
The United States remains diplomatically distant from the Taliban, largely due to the regime's human rights abuses and harboring of terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda. The US maintains sanctions and continues to condition any engagement on the Taliban's adherence to human rights norms, particularly women's rights.
Arab nations, particularly Qatar, have played a mediating role, hosting Taliban representatives and facilitating dialogues with the international community. While no Arab country has recognized the Taliban, they engage with the regime pragmatically, balancing regional stability concerns with humanitarian aid efforts.
The Taliban regime has been marked by failure and regression. Their rule has plunged Afghanistan back into the dark ages, with women bearing the brunt of their oppressive policies. The regime's inability to gain international recognition has left it isolated and economically vulnerable, while its deteriorating relationship with Pakistan has added to its woes.
The rigid adherence of the Taliban’s top clan to its extremist ideology has not only alienated the Afghan population but also the international community. The lack of recognition and economic support has left Afghanistan in a dire state, with millions of people facing poverty, hunger, and despair.
In the final assessment, as the Taliban continues to struggle for legitimacy, its regime remains a symbol of tyranny and failure. The world watches as Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, descends into chaos and despair, with little hope for a better future. The international community must continue to hold the Taliban accountable for its actions and stand in solidarity with the Afghan people, particularly women, who have borne the brunt of this brutal regime.
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(The writer is a strategic affairs columnist and political analyst with six years of foreign posting in a neighboring country)
