Terrorism and The Taliban: How It Is Affecting Our World
             The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 have obviously left an unforgettable impression on both the United States and the world. That was the day that the longstanding conflict between the extremist Muslim groups and the US came to a climax. Most would say that that fateful day was a horrible event for everyone, whether American, Afghan or any other nationality. But to a select minority, especially those actively involved in terrorism against the US and the West, that was a momentous day that would solidify their message to the world and begin their quest at overthrowing all that they saw as threat to Islam and their way of life. Although the events of September 11 have yet to be completely understood, there has been a great deal of theorizing and major steps taken towards ending future terrorism and regaining the sense of well-being and confidence that was felt before it was stripped away from us all by 19 hijackers.
             One of the major groups involved in the events of September 11 was the Taliban. Before losing their power during a US-led bombing campaign and an assault by Afghan rebels in November 2001, they were the Muslim fundamentalist rulers of Afghanistan who had gained their power in the early-to-mid-1990's after a civil war between Northern and Southern Afghanistan. Since 1992, the country had been the site of major conflict, and many Afghans welcomed a new movement that promised to bring order and peace to the country. The Taliban "signaled that they were a movement for cleansing society rather than a party trying to grab power" (Rashid 23). They seemed to be very honest and well intentioned, and as a result were readily welcomed by the citizens of Afghanistan as well as supported by neighboring countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, who thought they could control and use the Taliban, as well as the United States.
             In 1996, the Taliban too...