Is it possible that the Taliban and their repressive policies will have greater legitimacy after US invasion of Afghanistan than before? The Taliban are now sought as peace partner by Washington and Kabul. As part of this diplomatic dance, the Taliban are being offered to open a “representative office” that may act as some sort of foreign ministry presumably prepared to engage in peace talks. Of course, though we must start from the premise that the Taliban do not dance nor do they compromise! Return of Taliban Gulag? I do not have a better alternative to negotiations with the Taliban. Ongoing conflict, civil war in Afghanistan also impacting neighbors like Pakistan is less desirable. However, I, and most importantly most Afghans, do not relish the return of the Taliban brand and substance. Their Islam is a tool carelessly abused for non-Islamic treatment of women, girls, minorities, dissent and democracy. The “mujahadeen” defeated the Soviets, the Taliban filled a vacuum and then turned their state into an Afghan version of a Soviet Gulag. Their hold on power was thin, and they were not only despised but their version of redneck Salafism was inconsistent with almost a century of development of a more progressive Afghanistan in the cosmopolitan centers. (See FILM REPORT – “Afghan Women Regaining Rightful Role” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/afghan-women-regaining-rightful-role/25719 ). However, another invasion, this time by US and allies and regardless of its political and moral justification was exploited by the Taliban to refashion themselves as freedom fighters – what a contradiction in words. Handed Opportunity to Rebrand as Freedom Fighters in Afghanistan & Broader Islamic World? If the end result of US and allied intervention would be not only a reemergence of the Taliban in political life but a re-legitimization not deserved on basis of their repressive past and regressive view of future society. As a new phase appears on the Afghan horizon, it is fair to ask and/or point out: ---Will Afghanistan be better-off after more than a decade of US/allied action? ---China is securing natural resource concessions as or more quickly in Afghanistan than US and western states. ---Is US and free world more secure at home and leader for freedom and democracy around globe? ---Will Taliban brand be embellished and more readily exported by its overt claim to have defeated US and defended Islam, regardless of veracity of claim or motive? PHOTOS – Views of Afghanistan post Taliban versus pre-Soviet invasion and Taliban. Read our Previous Article: - “Losing Afghanistan?” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/losing-afghanistan-by-ambassador-mo/36085 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us on DiplomaticallyX “Pakistan” (Afghanistan) Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/pakistan