A Paradox in Afghanistan
Adam Schwartzman, Intern ·
Jan 17, 2011 at 10:16pm
I read today in a couple of places that according to Afghanistan’s Education Minister Farooq Wardak, the Taliban may lift its ban on female education. Apparently, Minister Wardak claims that the organization has gone through a “cultural change” since losing power in 2001.
I, for one, have no idea what to make of this. The Taliban- widely understood to hold some of the world's most restrictive ideology surrounding women- is now reconsidering its stance on female education? Something doesn’t add up.
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Comments :
May '10
Re: A Paradox in Afghanistan
Mullah Omar and his Afghan Taliban cohorts understand compromise to an extent. They ruled Kabul, after all, and are a bit more mature than the Pakistani Taliban.
Jul '10
Re: A Paradox in Afghanistan
IT'S A TRAP!!
Jan '11
Re: A Paradox in Afghanistan
If I were to hazard a guess I would say the surge is working.
Oct '10
Re: A Paradox in Afghanistan
Perhaps, once in exile they found they desperately needed their women, who suddenly were free to move over to the American side.
Jun '10
Re: A Paradox in Afghanistan
My take, a complete guess actually, is that the Taliban want to appear more moderate as they prepare to offer negotiations with the elected government in Kabul. What the give away now, they can always take back when they return to power.
Oct '10
Re: A Paradox in Afghanistan
The Administration is hell bent to pull out of Afghanistan at the earliest possible political moment. Kharzai is a weak leader, but albeit, our chosen leader once we fully remove our troops. The Taliban may have primitive ideas, but they are not naive. There is little question that they fully intend taking over when we are gone, and the "moderation" of their position on female education hastens the political moment the Administration is hoping for.
Expect the Taliban to "re-think" their liberal shift the moment we are gone. If you have never had the opportunity to look down the barrel of an AK-47 held by a 17 year old Taliban, you have yet to understand just how primitive they really are. Within hours of their turning off the spigot on female education these guys will have forced the closure of every classroom that isn't 100% male. And that 17 year old with the AK-47 will be there with thousands of his compatriots, enforcing the Will of Allah!