The Taliban Now Rule Administratively In Much Of Afghanistan

The US has worked to increase the professionalism of the Afghan police. But in several provinces around Kabul, locals say the Taliban are far more effective at keeping order. Andy Nelson/The Christian Science Monitor/FILE

Some Afghans Live Under Taliban Rule – And Prefer It -- Christian Science Monitor

In provinces just south of Kabul, the insurgents have a shadow government that polices roads and runs courts.

Porak, Afghanistan - After a gang of thieves had continually terrorized an Afghan neighborhood near here months ago, locals decided they'd had enough. "We complained several times to the government and even showed them where the thieves lived," says Ahmad, who goes by one name.

But the bandits continued to operate freely. So the villagers turned to the Taliban.

The militants' parallel government here in Logar Province – less than 40 miles from Kabul, the capital – tried and convicted the men, tarred their faces, paraded them around, and threatened to chop off their hands if they were caught stealing in the future. The thieves never bothered the locals again.

In several provinces close to Kabul, the government's presence is vanishing or already nonexistent, residents say. In its place, a more effective – and brutal – Taliban shadow government is spreading and winning local support.

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My Comment: This situation reminds me of Iraq .... the same mistakes are being done.