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Discuss: What explains the resilience of the Taliban in Afghanistan?

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US Marines breach into a house in the Bhuji Bhast Pass in Farah Province, Afghanistan on October 9, 2009. The pass is a Taliban stronghold. (David Furst/AFP/Getty Images)
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US Marines breach into a house in the Bhuji Bhast Pass in Farah Province, Afghanistan on October 9, 2009. The pass is a Taliban stronghold. (David Furst/AFP/Getty Images)

US and UN officials on Thursday condemned a massive suicide car bombing outside the Indian embassy in the Afghan capital of Kabul by Taliban militants, reports The Associated Press.

The fifth deadly attack on Kabul in two months comes as President Barack Obama's administration reviews its strategy for Afghanistan amid calls for more US troops and warnings that the Taliban insurgency is gaining momentum.

DISCUSS: What explains the resilience of the Taliban in Afghanistan?

Join the discussion and share your thoughts below.

Indranila Gupta | 10:15:09 08:24pm
The corrupt and inept Karzai government which could not bring about the much-needed change in Afghanistan is definitely an important factor in Taliban resurgence. The Taliban have taken total advantage of the vacuum created by this government and are gaining ground by winning over particular sections of the disaffected Afghan population. Karzai govt.’s engagement in corrupt conduct is evidence to us all that H. Karzai does not fit the bill for presidency and shouldn’t be entrusted with another term. Other factors are also helping the Taliban - Afghanistan’s rugged mountainous terrain, the ongoing drug trade; the blunder committed by the U.S. government in 2003 by shifting its military focus from Afghanistan to Iraq; And, last but certainly not the least, Pakistan’s Northwest frontier province, which has proved to be a safe haven for the extremists due to the constant support of the Pakistan Intelligence Agency. Let’s face the fact that the Taliban are used as Pakistan ISI’s proxy force. They came to power through devious means with the help of Pervez Musharraf and the ISI in 1994 and are strategically trying to creep back to positions of power in Afghanistan, again with a lot of help from the Pakistan ISI, a blunder Pakistan is paying for heavily now. I am disappointed with the U.S govt.’s possible plan to scale back operations in Afghanistan. Why the second thoughts after all these months of resolute rhetoric? Just doesn’t make any sense to me.
Madigan | 10:13:09 07:47pm
Pakistan was nevr meant to be a kingdom. The "Accidental-President" Zardari, with a tainted past is already grooming his idiot son as the next leader who has no qualifications except he was born to Madam Bhutto. All the lands owned by the Bhuttus and Shariefs must be redistrbuted to the people of Pakistan so they may feel like the owners of their properties and their actions. Untill this grand land ownerships are not distributed to the rightful owners of Pakistan, there will be chaos in Pakistan. Afghanistan is also ruled by a man who speaks from both sides of his mouth while his brothers are deeply involved in the drug trade. US must stop supporting him, arrest him, and support Abdulla Abdulla. This way the money we are sending will go to the needy and not in the pockets of the war-lords. Madigan
Sabeen Jatoi | 10:12:09 04:33am
The reasons behind Taliban resilience - whether it applies to Afghanistan and/or Pakistan are the same in my view. The poor socio-economic indicators across both countries are the main factors. If "secular democratic" governments do not deliver basic healthcare, education, infrastructure, access to justice and employment then a large poor disgruntled population will provide human fodder to madrassas and militant training camps. For each "Islamic soldier martyred" his family receives financial compensation, young men who register for service receive financial compensation, at times even a paid for mobile phone etc. Even parents granting custody of their children to madrassas feel that there the children will at least be fed, clothed etc. The West instead of supporting corrupt democratic forces in countries like Pakistan/Afghanistan and legitimising rigged election processes should DIVEST support and funding from these discredited and corrupt leaders. Democracy is used as a buzz word to create false promises and the West seems to be lapping it all up. No lessons learned from mistakes of the past. Any leader who can hobnob in English, has some experience of spending time in the West (enjoying ill gotten wealth plundered during years of corrupt rule) is IT. The vast majority of the population of Pakistan is rural and conservative as per their age old culture. Compromising on civil liberties such as forced veils, no education for girls, no music and entertainment are not a big deal for them. They live with these limitations to begin with. It is the minority in urban centres that worries about Talibanisation taking over their freedoms.
Hassan Abbas | 10:09:09 03:36pm
To understand what inspires, sustains and empowers the Taliban in Afghanistan, it is pertinent to look at the historical context, domestic scenario in Afghanistan as well as the contemporary geo-politics of the region. Mullah Omar and Co. received a devastating blow in late 2001 as far as its hold on Kabul (the seat of governance) was concerned but a large number of Taliban escaped from the scene unscathed and many of them found a sanctuary in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas. For the West as well as Pakistan, Al Qaeda was designated as the 'main enemy' at the time. Tragically, Pakistan failed to realize that unless confronted strongly, the menace of Taliban could spill into parts of Pakistan - FATA and NWFP. That is what exactly happened. Coupled with that, the Western failure to resurrect Afghan state through reconstruction and 'nation-building' also frustrated ordinary Afghans who were glad to get rid of Taliban. The hopes and dreams of Afghans were crushed in the process and Taliban resurgence was a predictable consequence. This new lease of life for Taliban has been facilitated by support from Pakistani Taliban from FATA, Al Qaeda remnants as well as courtesy elements from within the security infrastructure in Pakistan (who think that this is the only effective way to curb growing Indian influence in Afghanistan). However, in my assessment, external factors have become relevant only because Taliban have reemerged as a potent force within Afghanistan. Some of their supporters see Taliban as waging a war of resistance also. South Asian states as well as the US and its NATO allies owe it to the people of Afghanistan to ensure that Taliban ideology is defeated – not through military means but by empowering those mainstream Afghans who want to build a better future for their homeland. Those who believe that negotiations with Taliban can work are living in a fool's paradise. Taliban will use any negotiations to gain more space and enforce their dogmatic worldview over Afghans as soon as they get an opportunity.

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