Afghanistan: Consolidation of Power Under the Taliban, Challenges and Sustainability

Four years after the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan, the country under the clerics’ rule is peaceful but not stable. The country is internationally isolated, economically in crisis and socio-politically divided. Despite earlier pledges to share power with other Afghan parties and respect democratic rights of all Afghans, 1 the Taliban swiftly reinstated many of their harshest policies, pushing women out of public life and allowing no dissent. Adhering to an ideology of radical exceptionalism, the ruling Taliban maintain control over the country through a totalitarian governance while keeping ideological ties with regional and global Jihadist groups. The situation complicates efforts to balance the drive of a hardline ideology with practical demands of running a government and engaging with the international community. In geopolitical terms, the Taliban regime has outwardly stated its commitment to preventing terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks on other countries. However, the ability and willingness of the Taliban to enforce this commitment are questionable and under scrutiny. This article evaluates the enormous challenges pertaining to legitimacy, governance, and economic hurdles facing the Taliban and whether the Taliban government, without embracing reforms, can survive amidst internal dissent, economic hardships, and international isolation. 1. Serajuddin Haqqani, What We, the Taliban, Want, the New York Times, February 20, 2020