What messages did Mullah Yaqoob’s speech contain for the Taliban?
Author: Mohammad Aref Rahmani, former member of the Afghan parliament
On 26 Dalw (February 15), at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, Mullah Yaqoob, the Taliban’s Minister of Defense, delivered a speech that outwardly carried an advisory and moral tone, yet in essence contained a serious warning about internal threats and the possible fragmentation of the group.
Addressing his comrades, he emphasized: “Do not do anything that would cause rational people to call you mad,” and added that the Taliban must not leave behind a legacy for which future generations would feel ashamed. He stressed the need to abandon internal disagreements, refrain from revenge, and avoid ethnic and linguistic fanaticism, while at the same time assuring that Afghanistan poses no threat to any country and that the Taliban seeks political and economic relations based on mutual respect.
Although at first glance these words suggest political maturity or a course correction, closer analysis shows that the speech primarily reflects the Taliban’s internal fears — fears not of external enemies, but of internal threats and divisions among different factions.
A Warning Against the “Label of Madness” — An Indirect Admission of Ineffectiveness
The phrase “to be called mad” was not accidental. By using this formulation and warning against extremist and irrational decisions, Mullah Yaqoob indirectly acknowledged that many of the Taliban’s ideological directives, from the perspective of society and even a significant portion of the movement’s members, are illogical and self-destructive. Harsh restrictions on women, the concentration of power within a narrow circle, and the cessation of practical engagement with the international community are examples of such decisions. These remarks effectively hinted at the strategic inefficiency and the destructive consequences of the Taliban’s internal policies.
The Real Addressee — Internal Divisions Within the Taliban
Despite the outwardly national tone of the speech, Mullah Yaqoob’s primary audience consisted of the movement’s internal factions: the Kandahar circle, the Haqqani network, local commanders, and the more pragmatic younger generation. His reference to disagreements and his call to avoid revenge served as a clear reminder of the danger of internal collapse: “If internal disagreements continue, the government will fall.” This message demonstrates that the fear of organizational fragmentation and internal conflict currently outweighs concerns about external threats for the Taliban.
From Military Victory to State Responsibility
In 2021, the Taliban achieved military victory; however, they are now responsible for governing a country with a paralyzed economy, widespread dissatisfaction, mass emigration, and international isolation. A group once capable only of slogans and armed struggle now faces the complex reality of state governance. Mullah Yaqoob’s words indicate an awareness of this reality: the real danger lies in failure to govern the country, not in external threats.
A Message to the World — Demonstrating a Desire for Legitimacy
His emphasis that Afghanistan poses no threat to any country and that the Taliban seeks respectful relations reflects weakness in internal legitimacy and fear of international isolation. History shows that a state uncertain of its internal and external legitimacy tends to mask its weakness with moral and diplomatic rhetoric, thereby creating a more acceptable image.
Conclusion
Although Mullah Yaqoob’s words were delivered in the form of moral and unifying recommendations, in reality, they constitute a loud alarm signal from a concerned and fragile authority. With its ideological structure, repressive policies, and lack of experience in state governance, the Taliban suffers primarily from its own decisions rather than from external threats.
A government that internally appeals to reason is more vulnerable and unstable than ever. Unfortunately, its opponents remain asleep, trapped in illusions of external support and political fragmentation.
