TODAY -

Blunder, change, business, religion and militancy: The Talibans

Akash Rajkumar *



Exiled! Ousted! Fled! Given shelter! Had no choice! Kabul! Talibans! Afghanistan! Flood of bloodshed! Vows to return!!

Headlines of news that circulated all around the world in the recent days , and we know only what we perceive not the intentions and way people wants us to!! To err is human!

9/11 referred hereafter is a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Wahhabi Islamist terrorist group Al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, 11th of September, 2001; 6:16pm IST.

Geography plays an important role in history and geo-politics is a complex structure presently. Foreign affairs and diplomacy is not a bed of roses. The tits and tats, the alliances, the apostasy will never be free from this game. We have witnessed the WWI and WWII. In the post -WWII period we have witnessed the Cold war and the fall of U. S. S. R(Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) . The situations gave particular conditions for certain geo-politics in the Asian countries which have mild influences of Communism but which weren't able to establish themselves at the forefront as if yet, then.

Recently, on the 14th of April 2021 the newly elected American President Joe Biden announced, after the deal with the Talibans back in February of 2020 C. E. , the desire of leaving Afghanistan by the 11th of September same year, on the 20th anniversary of the fateful 9/11 incident, which is still consider by the bearers of the liberty and democracy as one the biggest 'terrorist ' attack in recent past. All American troops including the allied NATO( North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) of 36 countries will be leaving Afghanistan.

However, to conclude whether the proposed mission by the U. S President George Herbert Walker Bush following the 9/11 remains far from being achieved to many eyes who actually believed in the 'promise' to defend the freedom. The firmness he showed in his speech and the resulting event today seems a tangent being drawn away from the believe, or should we say " mission un- accomplished" as projected to be accomplished.

The U. S. troops leave the Bagram base in July 1st, 2021 without any prior information. Bagram base is located in the Afghanistan. It was the epicenter of activity against the Talibans and the Al Qaeda by the U. S and its allies. Besides for all these years, The U. S. have been immensely succeokn their narrative building as the saviour of democracy. To note, they control nearly 90% of the media reach to us be it in text or visual-audio. The narratives are build according to their own need with the careful selections of words which Aristotle had termed as "epideictic rhetoric". The U. S. enjoy a fair share of the information warfare.

The bi-polar world of the Cold War era was a period of conflict between two different ideologies and geo-political tension between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. While trying to expand their sphere if influence accordingly to their own believes, we can infer that the US involvement in the Middle East were temporary ones, considering the proximity it share with USSR. And this would change to active engagement in the post-Cold war period. The fall of USSR was seen as a victory of democracy and capitalist society and economy.

The involvement of the US can be traced back to the decade long Soviet-Afghan War (1978 C.E. – 1989 C.E.). This was a result of the blunder the US had made in the Vietnam War which they claimed victory. China became Communist in 1949 C. E. and the wave was felt in North Vietnam. To stop the spread of communism to South Vietnam and further to Asian countries, the US made active participation favouring the South Vietnam.

However, the situation they face made them call off the war in 1975C. E. . So the Soviet-Afghan war which began in 1978 C. E. was a chance to redeem and purge their past mistake and blunder. Meanwhile, we witnessed the Indo-Pakistan War or the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 C. E. This situation will pry not only the US but the Asian country of Pakistan too. The involvement of Pakistan from herewith will change the whole geopolitics.

During the Soviet-Afghan War many Afghans fled to neighbouring countries. However the Afghans had good and cordial relation with the Soviets since 1947 C. E. but the situation change after the assassination of communist statesman Nur Muhammad Taraki in 1978 C. E.. The unstable political condition in Afghanistan made the Soviets to shift from advisory role during their friendship days to active engagement. Thus began the Soviet-Afghan War. This war is also the last engagement made by USSR before its collapse.

Afghanistan was a nation divided into two blocks one supporting the communist Soviets and the other were Anti-Communist Islamic Afghans or the Mujahiddens. They had no resource, no military training and no support. The U. S. who have been a silently studying the situation wanted an strategic involvement bit without active engagement.

On the other hand, Pakistan who was not having an cordial relation with India since the Kashmir War of 1949 C. E. and the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 C. E. under the leadership of military general Muhammad Zia ul Haq sense the desires of the U. S. and soon forged a relation with the U. S. President Jimmy Carter. The US were happy in finding a way, so initiated Operation Cyclone where resources including finance and military aids were supplied in huge quantities for the Mujahiddens through Pakistan. In this way Pakistan did business during the Soviet-Afghan War and they used large part of the aid in their own needs. So we see a sudden hike in the militant activities in Punjab by then.

When the Soviet war in Afghanistan was coming to an end, Pakistan saw that the interest of the U. S. could fade. so they aim in creating new conflicts where the U. S. would be interested. The Mujahidden also seem to run out of factors to continue the fight against their own country-men. The Pakistani Army and the I. S. I(Inter – Service Intelligence) Agency plays a crucial role. They created the Al Qaeda in 1988 C. E. at Peshawar, Pakistan.

Earlier the leader of Mujahiddens were also calked for important meetings at Peshawar. This shows the hand Pakistan was playing in between. Al Qaeda was composed of several war veterans and heroes from the recently concluded Soviet-Afghan War. The face of Osama Bin Laden, Abdullah Azzam were heroes for Afghanistan and the U. S. during the war. However, post creation of Al Qaeda they were brainwashed by the Pakistani Army and Agency and projected the U.S. as enemy for them and to fight against the corrupt politicians of Afghan Democratic Republic . Thus, began the conflict between Afghanistan and the U. S..

We should note that Pakistan needed fund and resources for their K2 mission – Kashmir and Khalisthan Mission. Meanwhile, the Soviet Republic collapsed in 1991 C. E. And the attention of the U. S. was shifted to the case of Saddam Hussain and Iraq invasion of Kuwait. Pakistan and Al Qaeda, which is basically an Pakistani creation, wanted American attention. The expanding Al Qaeda in the Islamic world conducted atrocities in Northern Africa.

A civil war broke out by 1992 in Afghanistan and amongst the. Six(sometimes three or five) powers competing, the Talibans, again created by the Pakistani Army and I. S. I. Agency, captured power. The Talibans were founded under the leadership of Mohammad Omar, Abdul Ghani Barada at Kandahar in 1994 C. E.. Al Qaeda reestablish themselves in Afghanistan under the shadow of the Talibans and began the confusing character mingling of the Talibans and the Al Qaeda. While the Al Qaeda was trying to gain attention, the most significant was the attack of 9/11.

The U. S responded within a week and on account of the denial by the Talibans to hand over the 'man' behind the attack launched an aggressive militarization against the Talibans and Afghanistan. By 2002 C. E. , the Talibans and allies were retreated to the NorthEastern part of Afghanistan which is a hilly region and hid among the mountains.

We can notice the double character played by Pakistan where they use 'religion militancy' and the aids of the U. S for their own benefits against India. This doesn't mean the C. I. A( Central Intelligence Agency) or the American government are dumb and mummified. Yet, the policy was continued by the Presidents of Pre-Trump period. Pakistan had succeeded so far in converting the war heroes of Soviet-Afghan war to be enemies amongst themselves while she enjoy a fat share, and keeps on creating militant groups. Many on India are supported by the Pakistan and affiliates to Al Qaeda. This raises certain security question. And the quick response to Al Qaeda's action of 9/11 serves Pakistan the best in terms of funds and aids they receive from the U. S. by creating 'religious militant ' groups.

However, the foreign policy adopted by Trump towards Pakistan is a landmark event. And in regard to the withdrawing of the troops we have seen an 'unsuccessful ' talk with the Talibans and the Obama Government in 2016 C. E.. But direct talk with the Talibans initiated by Trump in 2020 C. E and the peace deal of 2020 are changing landmarks.

The emergence of the Talibans owes to Pakistan but the changing nature of the Talibans, as they accept diplomatic talks and solution, tends a re-union on religion base ground seem unlikely, as the Talibans should also, by now, had learned the double character played by Pakistan. Instead the religion card could serve against Pakistan considering the rise of Pastu Nationalism and Baloch Nationalism in Pakistan. Moreover rthe issue of hastily drawn Durand line is still a problem as ethnic spreads across the boundaries.

AS of now India do not share any boundary with Afghanistan, the part earlier shared is in POK( Pakistan Occupied Kashmir). And India have a cordial relation with Afghanistan. We have the case of P. V Narasimha Rao's government supplying medical and humanitarian aids to the Talibans. And recent talks with both the Talibans and the Afghan Government.

However, the mainstream media and American government under Bush had blended the Talibans and the Al Qaeda. The Talibans despite being an radical Islamic group had no participation at 9/11. And the U. S. had already been able to execute the assassination of Osama Bin Laden back on 2nd of May, 2011 at the Khyber Paktukhwa(KPK) region of Afghanistan. If the intention of the U. S. was against terrorism it could have ended there. But the continuing process for almost a decade and the sudden stoppage indicate otherwise.

All the while, the sudden redraw of the troops without prior information whereby the resources, as claimed by sources, falls onto the hands of the Talibans indicate careful examination given the change in characters after the deal of February.

And a fear of civil war stops many from sending their resources to Afghanistan presently, as the Talibans do not recognise the Afghan Government that had existed. But all are keeping a keen eye to the geopolitical situation. Nobody wants the blunder committed by the U. S. to be repeated by themselves. Further the exit is consider a 'face saving 'exit, an 'escape' from the blunder. Or an 'exhausted' superpower who had miscalculated its standing.

Lastly, As John Seeley puts "History is past politics and politics is present history", we see the second coming of the Talibans. In past politics of Cold war, they left home and educated themselves at madrassas in Pakistan imbibed the thoughts that would lead a and believed what would bring freedom to them. To a liberal eye, the measures are just too much. Given the background and condition they tried to equate, it was necessary for them, however cynical and inhuman they are.

Then, after the conflict with one of the cold war power leads to conflict with the remaining power. Forced out and decline, so that the frame of western liberty and democracy could be adjusted when they are in the middle of conflict. Again they rise today, tomorrow they may fall. It will become history, past politics making way for politics and present history.


* Akash Rajkumar wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer is from Department of History, Manipur University
and can be contacted at akashrk(DOT)akash2A(T)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on August 20 2021.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • Yaingakpa, Renglien, Thariktha : eMing
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • From Earth Day to World Environment Day
  • COVID-19: Update 13 June 2025 : Manipur
  • JJM brings clean drinking water to CCpur
  • M.Tech CSE Admission at Assam University
  • Save your nails from damage this summer
  • No takers for Moreh cops' distress call
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Implement Hill Areas (Chief Rights) Act 1967
  • Manipur fields shape India sport future
  • How to Speak Soft and Still Win
  • Thokchom Khoiba : mosquito killer machine
  • Looking for wealthy groom, question you too
  • When is the net ban going to be lifted
  • Stir speculations nix school reopening plan
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Fire safety: preventive measures
  • Peculiar plants & incidents unique to Manipur
  • Artificial Intelligence & environment
  • Cutting off the nose to spite the face
  • Relief for daily wagers as shutdown called off
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • The question of territorial integrity of Manipur
  • Animal Farm's allegory in dynamics of Manipur
  • Their hands deserve books, not burdens
  • JNV empowers Tamenglong students
  • We can do better- people with HIV live healthy
  • Bandh: The Cry Beneath the Silence :: Poem
  • Cutting short 240 hours general strike
  • Shutdown lifted, curfew eased, mobile ban
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Review of 'Rain Stopping in Manipur'
  • Highway blockades trigger soaring prices
  • Voice of the Masses :: Poem
  • Congress may claim if none
  • Learning new skills related to AI
  • Delhi, Raj Bhavan: Losing the plot ?
  • CBI arrest after Governor clemency assurance
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • Appeals Home Minister not to renew SoO
  • Self-defence :: Poem
  • When will humans learn nature's lessons ?
  • Forgotten voices of drug users in Manipur
  • High-yielding RC Manichakhao-1
  • PC Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • TSE Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Micromanager vs Leader
  • Valedictory Function of NE NSS Festival
  • WED at various campuses in Manipur
  • World Environment Day 2025
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • Sarangthem Nirupama at Miss Universe India
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025