The role of external factors in the formation and strengthening of the Taliban group: An analysis of the external reasons for the emergence of the Taliban

Authors

1 PhD Student, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 (Corresponding author) Associate Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The emergence of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan and their dominance over the country's lands, among various political parties and groups, in two periods of time, 1996 to 2001 and 2021 to date, cannot be analyzed without considering a set of internal and external factors. The main issue of this article is to examine the impact of external factors on the emergence of the Taliban and their dominance over Afghanistan. The main hypothesis of this research is based on the premise that the intervention of various countries, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and especially Pakistan, played a decisive role in the emergence and dominance of this group over Afghanistan. This article was conducted using a historical research method, with a qualitative and analytical approach, and using the method of collecting documents and sources in a library manner and using reliable data available in databases. The results of this study show that external factors, including variables such as the presence of the Red Army in Afghanistan and the confrontation of the communists with the religious beliefs of the Afghan people, as well as the intervention of the United States and the support of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, are among the factors that have led to the emergence and dominance of the Taliban group in Afghanistan.

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References

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Journal of Historical Researches of Iran and Islam
Volume 19, Issue 37
November 2025
Pages 136-167

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History

  • Receive Date: 04 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 11 October 2025
  • Accept Date: 26 October 2025

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