> the average Afghan may hate and fear the Taliban, but hate and fear the invading Westerners even more.
It's more that they hate the corrupt Afghan government the U.S. was propping up. From what I've read, the Taliban is predictably corrupt and somewhat fair, provided you aren't a woman or gay and they don't find a reason to kill you. You pay one bribe for whatever you want to achieve at that moment and get a receipt that other Taliban people honor.
The U.S.-supported Afghan government was unpredictably corrupt and very greedy—you had to bribe every policeman, soldier, checkpoint guard, and official you came into contact with. Both options suck but one sucks less, and, for most Afghans trying to live their lives, that matters more than airy ideals about democratic liberalism and sexual equality.
It's more that they hate the corrupt Afghan government the U.S. was propping up. From what I've read, the Taliban is predictably corrupt and somewhat fair, provided you aren't a woman or gay and they don't find a reason to kill you. You pay one bribe for whatever you want to achieve at that moment and get a receipt that other Taliban people honor.
The U.S.-supported Afghan government was unpredictably corrupt and very greedy—you had to bribe every policeman, soldier, checkpoint guard, and official you came into contact with. Both options suck but one sucks less, and, for most Afghans trying to live their lives, that matters more than airy ideals about democratic liberalism and sexual equality.