Taliban focus on the ethnic portions of the coutnry...

eply by Rob Dodson on April 19, 2010 at 10:09pm
Dear Aziz,

I will try to answer your questions as best I can. It is my belief that the US created a vacuum in addressing the needs of the people after we removed the Taliban. As a result, the people, especially those living in rural areas, remained outside our effort to rebuild the country. Their daily lives had not changed and when the Taliban moved back into the vacuum created, they began to suffer. I think most people are more interested in living their lives without fear. I am also sure that whoever gives them that security and safety they will support. This is generally true in all insurgencies. The ability to overcome an insurgency lies in the ability to form a strong government that addresses the needs of the population. If that doesn't exist, insurgencies tend to grow. This lack of a credible central government also hampers the development of police and military forces, something needed to counter the insurgency.

The Taliban continue to focus on the ethnic portions of the country that correspond to theirs. If you look at the districts under Taliban influence, they are generally Pashtu. This works for them and against them. It gives them a base from which to operate, but it drives them from the other ethnic groups.

I see the phenomenon of the Taliban as an organization that wishes to provide a government without corruption, providing security and safety. There is a price for this, an in most of the Pashtu areas the population are willing to pay it. I think they wish to re-establish themselves as the government, however, I am not completely sure that they are willing to incorporate the lands normally associated with the other ethnic groups.

I hope this helps,
Rob
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