Topline
The Taliban presented the leaders of the interim government for Afghanistan Tuesday afternoon. On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department expressed concern about the cabinet that does not include women and includes at least one person on a Federal Bureau of Investigations terrorist list.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, addresses a Kabul press conference on September 7, 2021. AFP via Getty Images
The Key Facts
The affiliations and track records that some members of the Taliban's hardline government revealed by the Taliban Tuesday, three weeks after they took control of Kabul. This was a statement from the State Department to Forbes and other news outlets. Although the State Department did not name anyone, the Taliban selected Sirajuddin Haqqani, a leader of Haqani networks, to be their interior minister. Several other leaders are also on U.N. sanctions lists. The State Department also raised concerns about the absence of female Taliban leaders and pointed out that the new government is controlled by Taliban members.
Surprising Fact
According to the FBI, there is a $10 million reward available for information leading towards Haqqani's capture. This is after the Haqani network, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization founded by his father, was linked to al-Qaeda and multiple attacks in Afghanistan.
Important Quote
The State Department stated that we understand that the Taliban presented this as a caretaker government. We will not judge the Taliban based on its words, but by their actions. We have made it clear that we expect the Afghan people to receive an inclusive government.
Important Background
After 20 years of fighting, the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan coincided perfectly with the U.S. military's withdrawal from the country. As the U.S.-backed Afghan government crumbled, the Taliban seized control of cities faster than expected. By mid-August, the militants had taken control of Kabul for only the second time in 20 years. While the Taliban promised an inclusive government, women's rights, and amnesty for U.S. troops, many Afghans fear a return to the brutal regime of 1996-2001, when women were barred from school and those who violated fundamentalist group rules were subject to harsh punishment. Reports emerged that Taliban members ordered women to quit work and conducted menacing door to door searches for Afghans who had collaborated with the U.S. military and the former government. Two weeks ago, a Taliban spokesperson asked women to remain at home temporarily and stated that its fighters needed to be taught to respect women.
What to Watch
According to the Biden administration, it hopes to still evacuate approximately 100 U.S. citizens currently in Afghanistan who want to leave. An unknown number of Afghans who have worked for the United States but fear Taliban reprisal remain in Afghanistan. The Taliban will likely cooperate with the State Department in order to allow these evacuees leave. Tuesday's statement by the State Department stated that it would hold the Taliban accountable for their promises to allow safe passage to Afghans and foreign nationals with travel documents.
