CUG
10-31-2010, 12:21 AM
I thought this would be a great read for people who are fanboying insurgency.
This article gives a pretty good review of all elements of the Taliban, including both good and bad things, as well as what locals candidly think of them.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11451718
Quoting what stood out to me:
"The Taliban emerged in the early 1990s in northern Pakistan following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan.
A predominantly Pashtun movement, the Taliban came to prominence in Afghanistan in the autumn of 1994."
"In both countries they introduced or supported Islamic punishments - such as public executions of convicted murderers and adulterers and amputations of those found guilty of theft.
Men were required to grow beards and women had to wear the all-covering burka.
The Taliban showed a similar disdain for television, music and cinema and disapproved of girls aged 10 and over from going to school.
Pakistan has repeatedly denied that it is the architect of the Taliban enterprise."
"Afghans, weary of the mujahideen's excesses and infighting after the Soviets were driven out, generally welcomed the Taliban when they first appeared on the scene.
Their early popularity was largely due to their success in stamping out corruption, curbing lawlessness and making the roads and the areas under their control safe for commerce to flourish."
"By 1998, they were in control of almost 90% of Afghanistan.
They were accused of various human rights and cultural abuses. One notorious example was in 2001, when the Taliban went ahead with the destruction of the famous Bamiyan Buddha statues in central Afghanistan, despite international outrage."
Another good article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11371138
Of more than 1,500 Afghans questioned, 70% said they believed Afghanistan was going in the right direction - up from 40% a year earlier. Of those questioned, 68% backed the presence of US troops, compared with 63% 12 months previously.
It's a good read from the BBC.
More Taliban content:
Pakistan's youth taken back from the Taliban
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11506006
This article gives a pretty good review of all elements of the Taliban, including both good and bad things, as well as what locals candidly think of them.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11451718
Quoting what stood out to me:
"The Taliban emerged in the early 1990s in northern Pakistan following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan.
A predominantly Pashtun movement, the Taliban came to prominence in Afghanistan in the autumn of 1994."
"In both countries they introduced or supported Islamic punishments - such as public executions of convicted murderers and adulterers and amputations of those found guilty of theft.
Men were required to grow beards and women had to wear the all-covering burka.
The Taliban showed a similar disdain for television, music and cinema and disapproved of girls aged 10 and over from going to school.
Pakistan has repeatedly denied that it is the architect of the Taliban enterprise."
"Afghans, weary of the mujahideen's excesses and infighting after the Soviets were driven out, generally welcomed the Taliban when they first appeared on the scene.
Their early popularity was largely due to their success in stamping out corruption, curbing lawlessness and making the roads and the areas under their control safe for commerce to flourish."
"By 1998, they were in control of almost 90% of Afghanistan.
They were accused of various human rights and cultural abuses. One notorious example was in 2001, when the Taliban went ahead with the destruction of the famous Bamiyan Buddha statues in central Afghanistan, despite international outrage."
Another good article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11371138
Of more than 1,500 Afghans questioned, 70% said they believed Afghanistan was going in the right direction - up from 40% a year earlier. Of those questioned, 68% backed the presence of US troops, compared with 63% 12 months previously.
It's a good read from the BBC.
More Taliban content:
Pakistan's youth taken back from the Taliban
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11506006