Who's Afraid of the Taliban? with Ahmed-Waleed Kakar

For twenty years the United States fought an un winnable and ultimately a self-defeating war in Afghanistan – only to withdraw in a humiliating way in 2021. The conflict ended what many saw to be a colonial enterprise. We explore that war, where it leaves Afghanistan, the geopolitics of the region, Afghanistan's relationship with Pakistan and the role of the Taliban. Many see the austere Islamic group as classic freedom fighters, defeating the worlds strongest and only superpower. But have they ultimately disappointed many in their time in government? The country suffers from poverty and near famine. Who is to blame for this terrible situation?

Ahmed-Waleed Kakar is no stranger to the country. Of Afghan descent, he is an analyst specialising in Afghan political history and the founder and editor in chief of The Afghan Eye ‪@AFGHANEYE‬ : an independent media platform offering English language analysis of Afghan affairs.

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The Thinking Muslim Podcast Episode 97

0:00-1:51 Introduction
1:51-3:24 Afghanistan's media image and reality
3:23-4:50 The Afghan people's perceptions of political change in recent years
4:50-8:14 History of the Taliban
8:14-12:25 Ideology of the Taliban
12:25-16:00 Education and professional opportunities and the Taliban
16:00-20:12 Reconfiguration of schools
20:12-33:25 Why the Taliban interfered so much in people's personal lives
33:25-34:47 Does the Taliban have a coherent decision-making structure?
34:47-41:09 Why did the Americans fail in Afghanistan?
41:09-44:49 Why did it take so long for the Americans to exit Afghanistan?
44:49-48:20 Did Americans believe the Ghani government would fight till the very end?
48:20-51:24 Are you Pro-Taliban?
51:24- 55:13 Taliban government and the Chinese
55:13-59:07 Taliban position about the persecution of Muslims in China
59:07-1:02:47 Is economic backwardness due to Taliban's poor governance?
1:02:47-1:04:48 Is the US government punishing Afghanistan?
1:08:15-1:04:48 Afghanistan's prospects for improvement
1:08:15-1:08:29 Additional information