Final answer:
The Taliban's rule in Afghanistan after the late 1990s was characterized by strict Islamic laws, removal of women from public life and work, and enforcement of a militant order. The turmoil in Afghanistan began with the Soviet withdrawal, continued with factional power struggles, and gave rise to the Taliban, who struggled to unify the diverse Islamic practices of local groups. Sectarian and political differences prevented the Taliban from being allies with Iran.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Taliban established control of Afghanistan in the late 1990s, they imposed strict Islamic laws and curtailed many freedoms, especially those relating to women's rights. Under Taliban rule, women were removed from positions in hospitals, schools, and work environments. They were forced to wear burkas, covering themselves from head to toe, and violators faced severe punishments such as beatings or execution.
The Taliban's governance style was heavily influenced by their interpretation of Islamic law, leading to the enforcement of a militant order in Kabul and other regions under their control. Opposition was not uncommon; groups like the Northern Alliance, which did not agree with the Taliban's strict views, continually resisted their power.
After the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, Afghanistan plunged into chaos with various factions vying for control. The Taliban emerged to fill the power vacuum with their own objective of using Islam as a unifying force. However, the diversity in the practice of Islam among local groups made this unification challenging.
Despite initial support during the Soviet invasion by the United States, the Taliban were not allies with Iran due to differing sectarian and political interests. Iran, which is primarily Shia Muslim, viewed the predominantly Sunni Muslim Taliban with suspicion and ideological differences further strained their relationship.