TALIBANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC STATE AND THE QUEST FOR RETROSPECTIVE LEGITIMACY

Shahi, Afshin; Mohamad, Amer

Abstract

This paper develops the notion of ‘Talibanization’ – a concept which stems from the resilience and the determination of the Taliban to remain a dominant player in Afghanistan even after the downfall of their state in 2001. The factors that helped the Taliban to maintain their influence after the disintegration of their state constitute a pattern which could be applied to other conflict-driven areas such as Syria. By critically examining the socio-political conditions in the Syrian district of Jarablus, this paper demonstrates the ways in which the inept post-IS administration is inadvertently helping IS to gain what we call ‘retrospective legitimacy’ a drive which could sustain its influence for many years following its downfall.

Citation

Shahi, A., & Mohamad, A. (2020). TALIBANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC STATE AND THE QUEST FOR RETROSPECTIVE LEGITIMACY. Asian Affairs, 50(4), 520-545. https://doi.org/10.1080/03068374.2019.1672423

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Oct 30, 2019
• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Aug 31, 2023
• Journal: ASIAN AFFAIRS
• Print ISSN: 0306-8374
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 520-545
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03068374.2019.1672423
• Keywords: Islamic State; Syria; Taliban; Jarablus; legitimacy; governance; security; corruption