The Taliban: The Enemy We Created

Abstract

The United States has, for the past 18 years, been locked in conflict with the Afghanistan based extremist group called the Taliban. Many people understand this conflict to be the direct response of the actions orchestrated by Osama bin Laden, leader of al-Qaeda on September 11th 2001. Yet most of the conflict in Afghanistan since late 2001, and early 2002 has actually been against the Taliban. Most Americans are unaware of the similarities and differences between the two groups, let alone the existence of Mullah Mohammed Omar, the former leader and founder of the Taliban. Many have wrongfully assumed that because both are extremist groups comprised of Sunni Muslims, and that because they both stem from the same period of violence caused by the Soviet Union’s Invasion of Afghanistan that the two organizations possess similar objectives. However, in analyzing the goals and motivations of Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda in contrast with those of Mullah Mohammed Omar and the Taliban, it becomes clear that the two groups were very separate organizations. This can firstly be seen in their membership, as while both are Sunni groups, the Taliban is comprised of ethnically Pashtun Afghans, while al-Qaeda has a diverse membership from across the Middle East. Secondly, they have vastly different focuses. The Taliban’s focus does not extend outside of Afghanistan and Pakistan, while al-Qaeda has a broad anti-western and anti-superpower focus. The fact is that the primary enemy which the United States is currently fighting in Afghanistan, the Taliban, is one completely of it is own making.