Taliban (Afghanistan)

The Taliban is a fundamentalist Islamic group that emerged in Afghanistan in the early 1990s. They aim to establish a strict interpretation of Sharia law, which has led to significant restrictions on personal freedoms, especially for women and minority groups. After controlling most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, they were expelled by U.S.-led forces following the September 11 attacks. In 2021, they regained control of the country, prompting international concern over human rights and regional stability. The Taliban's governance is characterized by an emphasis on religious law, often at odds with international standards of human rights and individual freedoms.