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The '''Taliban''' ("students" in Pashto) are an [[Islam]]ic [[fundamentalist]]<ref>http://standupforamerica.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/taliban-shooting.jpg</ref> movement which exercised rule over most of [[Afghanistan]] from 1996 until 2001, when [[United States]] forces in conjunction with [[NATO]] [[Afghanistan War|invaded Afghanistan]] and removed them from their center of power<ref> Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely said, "We took down the Taliban in the fall of 2001, in 34 days with 100 men." [http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080303/NATION/250209854/1001&template=nextpage] </ref> because they had either passively or actively allowed [[al-Qaeda]], a militant international [[Islamic terrorism|Islamist terrorist]] organization, to use Afghan territory to plot, train, and conduct international terrorist activities.

The '''Taliban''' ("students" in Pashto) are an [[Islam]]ic [[fundamentalist]]<ref>http://standupforamerica.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/taliban-shooting.jpg</ref> movement which exercised rule over most of [[Afghanistan]] from 1996 until 2001, when [[United States]] forces in conjunction with [[NATO]] [[Afghanistan War|invaded Afghanistan]] and removed them from their center of power<ref> Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely said, "We took down the Taliban in the fall of 2001, in 34 days with 100 men." [http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080303/NATION/250209854/1001&template=nextpage] </ref> because they had either passively or actively allowed [[al-Qaeda]], a militant international [[Islamic terrorism|Islamist terrorist]] organization, to use Afghan territory to plot, train, and conduct international terrorist activities.

The Taliban fighters were educated in [[wahhabist]] "madrassahs" (religious schools) in [[Pakistan]] (See: [[Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan]]), which emphasize the theological role of religious war ([[jihad]]), to be waged defensively against unbelievers who have invaded formerly Muslim lands or offensively at the call of the [[Caliph]].

The Taliban fighters were educated in [[Wahhabi|wahhabist]] ''madrassas'' (religious schools) in [[Pakistan]] (See: [[Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan]]), which emphasize the theological role of religious war ([[jihad]]), to be waged defensively against unbelievers who have invaded formerly Muslim lands or offensively at the call of the [[Caliph]].

The Taliban retain control of substantial tracts of Afghanistan to this day and continue to co-ordinate attacks against the [[Afghan national government]] and supporting NATO forces. Many of the Taliban leaders and foot-solders are now believed to be based in [[Pakistan]] where they can launch attacks across the border into Afghanistan or train for attacks elsewhere<ref>http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/terror-commande.html</ref>.   

The Taliban retain control of substantial tracts of Afghanistan to this day and continue to co-ordinate attacks against the [[Afghan national government]] and supporting NATO forces. Many of the Taliban leaders and foot-solders are now believed to be based in [[Pakistan]] where they can launch attacks across the border into Afghanistan or train for attacks elsewhere<ref>http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/terror-commande.html</ref>.