The Taliban’s return has reshaped regional dynamics, affecting neighboring countries like Pakistan and China and raising questions about counterterrorism and international security. Their rule remains a central issue in debates over how the world should engage with authoritarian movements rooted in religious fundamentalism. The Taliban are led by a supreme leader, known as the Amir al-Mu’minin (“Commander of the Faithful”). Since 2016, this position has been held by Hibatullah Akhundzada, a religious scholar with significant authority over political and military matters.
The movement is organized into several commissions overseeing military, political, economic, and judicial affairs, resembling a shadow government. Key figures also include deputies, military commanders, and religious leaders, many of whom were involved in the 1990s regime. The Taliban maintain a powerful insurgent network across Afghanistan. They rely on guerrilla tactics, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and asymmetric warfare.
