ACCORDING2SAM #96 'THE STUDENTS'

Taliban means 'students', and the organization that NATO forces have been fighting for 20 years in Afghanistan started in madrassas in Pakistan. Madrasa is the Arabic word for a school, or any type of educational institution, secular or religious, and there are thousands of madrassas around the world. However, the madrassas in Pakistan that spawned the Taliban were very religious Islamic fundamentalist seminaries, and these madrassas have been breeding grounds of a steady supply of fighters for the Taliban for 30 years. Pakistan has played a significant role in the war in Afghanistan from the beginning. They not only allow these radical madrassas to exist within their borders, they also allow the Quetta Shura and other ruling councils of the Taliban to exist and operate within their borders. These councils have been the central commands for Taliban forces in the war, directing troop movements, supplies, and missions in Afghanistan from Pakistan. Pakistan has been allowing this to happen for years, despite the fact that we have considered them an ally and give them billions in aid annually. Has Pakistan been an honest ally in the war in Afghanistan, or should we be questioning their motives in allowing our enemies safe haven in their country? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #96.