The Taliban say they will share power if Masood recognizes Mullah Omar as Emir of Afghanistan. He has refused. A third are fed by subsidized U.N. and Red Cross bakeries. In January the Kabul money market was hit by raiders and emptied during curfew hours. The gold market was robbed soon after.
Extortion reaches down to the pettiest level.
Much of the blame for such corruption is put on the Taliban's allies, those former warlords and mujahedin commanders with whom the victors struck deals in order to win power across the country. It's what happened since that worries me. The Taliban movement has always been fragmented, with factions loyal to local leaders who give their allegiance to Mullah Omar. But now, according to foreign observers, schisms are beginning to emerge. That stage has not been reached yet.