Taliban's propaganda war in Afghanistan - 16 Oct 07

	Duration: 02:25 minutes Upload Time: 2007-10-16 04:27:29 User: AlJazeeraEnglish :::: Favorites :::: Top Videos of Day
Description: When the Taliban controlled Afghanistan before the 2001 invasion, entertainment of any kind was banned. But ironically, in their attempt to regain control of the country, their propaganda is now being disseminated using television, videos and music. And as Hamish Macdonald reports, tapes like those received by Al Jazeera can be quite revealing. This conflict is largely viewed from the side of Nato and US forces. Media access is regularly granted and journalists often travel to the frontline. Rarely though do we see these battles from the other side. The Taliban, in an apparent attempt to display its resurgence has delivered 14 tapes to Al Jazeera. We cannot be certain when or where these images were filmed. Among the footage are attacks on Afghan police vehicles. The tape shows one person trying to escape, before being shot. The cars are then set alight. Another tape shows Taliban fighters proudly displaying what they discovered last year at an empty US military out-post. They appear particularly intrigued by the night-vision goggles. Waheed Mozhdah, former Taliban foreign ministry adviser, said: "The Taliban like to show powerful himself and show the enemy weak. I don't know how much the people believe that in the villages." The Taliban carried out a month-long campaign of suicide bombings and roadside attacks during Ramadan. These tapes demonstrate some of the techniques being used. Nato and US led coalition forces here say they have made major gains against the enemy during recent months. The Taliban though claims its securing support in a growing number of provinces. But with so much propaganda being disseminated from all sides, its difficult for anyone here to know just how much of it is true. One tape, showing Taliban pushing live donkeys off cliff, provides an insight into the mindset of those fighting this conflict. And from the US side as well. These images from a Dutch television documentary were among the tapes sent to us by the Taliban. The desire to gain the psychological advantage has meant that armed groups here and across the Middle East have now embraced propaganda in a big way. On all sides of the Afghan conflict there is an awareness that while the battles are important, the message may help win the war.
Comments
thecultofjonnybighed ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 04:36:14 i'm british + i think that afghanistan is winnable. we're done all we can in that meat grinder called iraq __________________________________________________
Gihaal ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 05:07:07 Second __________________________________________________
Gihaal ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 05:12:13 For some reason I lol at that donkey/horse being pushed off the cliff... so odd. __________________________________________________
thecultofjonnybighed ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 05:27:16 it's because the taliban are mad __________________________________________________
Gihaal ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 05:27:57 So push a horse off of a cliff... awesome... __________________________________________________
msgg81 ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 06:30:20 Propaganda ! who is actually doing it here which party ... point to consider before laying the blame __________________________________________________
hajqbvii ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 09:28:37 When Russian soldiers were fighting in Afghanistan, USA supported and supplied the resistant rebels in the mountains. Are the the Talibans being supported and armed by Russians? More things change the more things stay the same!?! __________________________________________________
phatslapper ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 10:32:30 AGREED!! __________________________________________________
phatslapper ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 10:38:35 Excellent point! __________________________________________________
idiriss ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 11:25:45 That's exactly the kind of thinking for loosing the war. But don't mind, you are not the first one who didn't learn from history. Have a nice day! __________________________________________________
eaglepies ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 11:45:47 I don't support the US or the Taliban in this any more, let's hope that they anhilate each other completely so the rest of us can get on with things. __________________________________________________
Mcplkelly ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 14:24:55 That kinda defeats the purpose. Once Iraq goes through 30 years of war and civil war then a govt like the taliban, they will be more inclined to tolerate the west. Afghanistan has gone through 30 years of unrest and chaos, NATO is the way they can bring that to an end, and I think many recognize that, despite their dislike of foreigners. __________________________________________________
ACTORnSCREENWRITER ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 14:41:26 your policy of "KILL ALL MUSLIMS" would work in NAZI germany not here you tough little computer parasite is why were winning the HEARTS AND MINDS of peoples and why were also winning the WAR ON TERROR your an idiot extremist,, extremists from both sides get alot of publicity ,, i should just ignore your idiot mind sets __________________________________________________
MustafaPresents ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 15:44:16 The allies of NATO and the U.S. in Afghanistan are also Muslims, oh uninformed person. __________________________________________________
MustafaPresents ::: Favorites  2007-10-16 15:45:19 I didn't understand the point of throwing the donkeys off the cliff. __________________________________________________