There has been a lot of confusion by researchers and analysts when it comes to understanding or articulating how decisions are made by the IEA. A lot of this stems from misunderstanding or misconstruing the role of decision making in an Emirate type structure.
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For the Taliban, their Emir is the supreme and absolute leader of Afghanistan. From an ideological perspective, he has absolute and unfettered power to make decisions as he sees fit.Everyone serves at his pleasure.
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Moreover, from an ideological sense, all his decisions and orders also have religious force, meaning that obedience of these orders is seen as a religious obligation (unless the decree or order contradicts a command of Islam).
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This makes IEA policies highly individualistic in outlook. Different Emirs can have different opinions on matters. Mullah Omar preferred to ban the shaving of beards and televisions and preferred publicised punishments. Later Emirs do not seem to adopt the same approach.
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From this perspective, seemingly contradictory policies have an internal logic when considered from this perspective.
As the Taliban transition to a government and abandon old structures in favour of institutionalisation…
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As the Taliban transition to a government and abandon old structures in favour of institutionalisation…
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…one key challenge would be setting a mechanism for selecting the next Emir. Whether they will set up a council or “Shura” to select a leader in the future or introduce a “crown Emir” to the position would be one indication of whether they will seek continuity…
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…vis-à-vis the current policies they have adopted or allow a future leader a free hand in forging his own path.
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