The origin of the Taliban in Afghanistan

Hartford Web Publishing is not the author of the documents in World History Archives and does not presume to validate their accuracy or authenticity nor to release their copyright.

Brzezinski Brags, blows cover: U.S. intervened in Afghanistan first: By Leslie Feinberg, Workers World, 12 March 1998. For years the official US line has been that the CIA began funding the Islamic counter-revolution in 1980 only because the USSR had sent its troops into Afghanistan on Dec. 24, 1979. Now Zbigniew Brzezinski, Pres. Carter's national security advisor, admits covert U.S. intervention began long before that.
Taliban abuses ignored for oil money, drug war; Is supporting Islamic fundamentalism good for politics & business?: American Atheists, AANews, 18 July 1998. Afghanistan's Islamic fundamentalist Taliban regime, which has ruled most of that country since 1996, has friends in high places. Despite a shoddy human rights record, the Muslim state enjoys a cozy relationship with some international corporate interests, and even elements within the United Nations and the U.S. government.
Who are the Taleban?: By Pam O'Toole, BBC News, Monday 3 August 1998. The world first became aware of the Taleban—Afghans trained in religious schools in Pakistan and former mujaheddin—in 1994 when they were appointed by Pakistan to protect a trade route between Pakistan and Central Asia from mujaheddin groups who attacked and looted the convoy. The Taleban&s popularity with many Afghans initially surprised the country&s warring mujaheddin factions.
CIA worked in tandem with Pakistan to create Taliban: The Times of India, 7 March 2001. Selig Harrison from the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars assesses the Taliban. He states that the CIA made a mistake having Islamic groups come to Afghanistan and providing $3 billion for building them up, and accepting Pakistan's demand that they should decide how this money should be spent.
Seminar criticizes Taliban mentors: DAWN, 19 March 2001, 23 Zilhaj 1421. The Taliban are not solely responsible for the present situation in Afghanistan as those who once supported them and encouraged their obscurantist tendencies were equally blameworthy.