Giustozzi, The resurgence of the neo-Taliban
December 14, 2007 2:21 pm AfghanistanGiustozzi, The resurgence of the neo-Taliban, openDemocracy December 14, 2007
The neo-Taliban’s achievement in widening its sphere of influence is all the more remarkable given that the movement’s fighters are recklessly brave - a fact remarked on by coalition troops - but tactically often naïve. This explains why they have suffered high casualties and turned to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as “force multipliers”. From 2005, the movement also resorted to suicide-bombings, although these have more of a psychological than a strategic impact. Contrary to a widespread view among Afghans, therefore, military proficiency is not the key to the neo-Taliban’s success.
The movement is more technologically accomplished than hitherto and its media-savvy propaganda campaigns utilise DVDs and other formerly detested symbols of western influence. And while some field-commanders now rely on laptops to track logistics and casualties and help plan attacks, technical illiteracy among rank-and-file fighters continues to hamper its campaign, ruling out the effective deployment of anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons.