In stark contrast to the organization’s bloody invasion of Kabul 25 years ago and the thunderous American invasion 5 years later, TalibanToday’s largely peaceful and uncontroversial march into the Afghan capital has proven to be as shocking as the rapid pace of the national offensive.
But with the victory of the country, the Taliban now has a new mission: to transform its image in the eyes of the world from a radical militia to one of the responsible ruling forces responsible for managing the country.
“The Taliban’s current posture is to show a global audience that it is a legitimate government seeking to stabilize Afghanistan and combat terrorism,” one Pentagon Officials supporting Afghanistan’s retrograde efforts told Weekly newspaper.
Preliminary evidence of this effort can already be seen in the organization’s tolerance for the large-scale evacuation of fleeing Afghans, some of whom chose to take risks and even insisted on leaving. American armies The plane is not living under the rule of the Taliban.
The Pentagon official said: “They provide guarantees for safety and safe passage for those who wish to leave Afghanistan. It is a strategic information campaign for Western powers and the United Nations, not for domestic audiences. They know Afghanistan very well. Fundamentalist ambitions. Hardliners.”
However, although the victorious Taliban’s relatively calm demeanor temporarily prevailed in the chaos at Kabul International Airport, another Pentagon official admitted that the lingering efforts of the U.S. military to support the evacuation were not stable.
“So far,” the second official told Weekly newspaper, “We are all just watching and hoping.”
He referred to a meeting between General Frank Mackenzie, the commander of the US Central Command, and Taliban leaders on Monday, and he urged them not to undermine the turbulent ending of the two decades of US presence in Afghanistan.
“I guess we have a few days, and then they will be impatient,” the official said. “As long as we can maintain the security situation, this may take longer than previously expected.”
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The Taliban’s public relations activities actually started a long time ago. Smart diplomacy not only helped the organization gain a seat opposite the United States and initiated a process that eventually reached a landmark peace agreement and finally allowed the United States to withdraw, but it also enabled them to fight side by side with other regional enemies such as Russia and Iran. He managed to overcome the historical hatred of establishing ties with the Taliban.
Once regarded as an agent of Pakistan, the Taliban listed neighbouring countries as one of the stops represented by them. In recent months, they have also travelled to Moscow, Tehran and Tianjin in China as the major powers have accepted the impending transformation. Afghanistan.
Now, under the eyes of the international community in Kabul, the Taliban, officially known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is seeking to honour the guarantees already provided in private talks.
“We assure all diplomats, embassies, consulates and charity workers, whether they are international or national, IEA will not only cause them any problems, but will also provide them with a safe environment, Inshallah,” Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said in a tweet on Monday that he used an Arabic phrase that translates to “God Willing.”
In the place where the unrest broke out, the Taliban quickly accused the rogue actors and claimed that their services were the legitimate authority in Kabul.
Mohammad Yaqoub, a senior Taliban military official, shared a message on social media to warn those accused of robbery or trying to enter the homes of former Afghan government officials.
Although Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is still technically an internationally recognized head of state, his sudden withdrawal seems to allow the Taliban to actually take his place.
At the same time, other leaders such as Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High National Reconciliation Committee, former President Hamad Karzai, and Islamic Party Chairman Gulbudin Hikmatyar are heading to Doha, the capital of Qatar. , To negotiate the country’s political future with the Taliban. , Al Jazeera Reported on Monday.
This uncertainty keeps major powers on the alert. Senior diplomats from the United States, China, and Russia all had separate telephone conversations about the turbulent situation in Afghanistan.
But in the White House, a provocative president Joe Biden One thing to say with certainty: no regrets left a seemingly endless war.
Biden said in the president’s speech: “I know that my decision will be criticized, but I would rather accept all these criticisms than pass this decision to another American president, another, the fifth president. “
“Because it is correct,” he added. “This is the right decision for our people. It is correct for our brave service staff, who risk their lives to serve our country. This is also correct for the United States.”
This is a developing news story. More information will be added as it becomes available.
