As Taliban Seize Power, a ‘Legitimacy’ Trade-Off Unfolds Behind the Scenes

The latest comments by Ahmad Wali Massoud and Joe Biden provide a glimpse into the ongoing developments.

Since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban on 15 August, the world’s attention has been focused on:

• the horrific scenes at the Kabul airport;

• the evacuation of most diplomatic missions and foreigners from the Afghan capital;

• the conduct of Taliban cadres in major cities, especially towards women;

• demonstrations against the Taliban in Jalalabad, Khost and Asadabad — the capitals of Pashtun-majority provinces in eastern Afghanistan — leading to loss of life because of Taliban firing;

• Amrullah Saleh, Vice-President of the collapsed Republic declaring himself as caretaker President and vowing to carry on the struggle against the Taliban;

• The appeal of the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, Ahmad, to the American, British and French people to urge their governments to help the Panjsheris, who are ready to launch an armed resistance against the Taliban, and,

• Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson’s press conference, where he sought to assure the Afghan people and the international community of the group’s commitment to form a fair and inclusive Islamic government that would respect rights, but according to the Sharia.

But amidst all these developments, the real game is unfolding behind the scenes in Islamabad, Kandahar, Kabul, and possibly also in Quetta and Peshawar; in the latter two cities, some of the top Taliban leaders normally reside.