The Taliban is a Sunni Islamist nationalist and pro-Pashtun militant movement that emerged in the early 1990s in Afghanistan. Composed originally of students ("Taliban" means "students" in Pashto) from religious schools (madrasas) mainly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, they rose to power during the Afghan Civil War after the Soviet-backed government fell. By 1996, they had captured Kabul and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, enforcing a strict, often harsh interpretation of Islamic law (Sharia) characterized by severe restrictions on women, political opponents, and minorities. The Taliban's goals have included restoring what they view as an authentic Islamic state with strict adherence to their interpretation of Sharia law. They aimed to bring stability and law and order after years of conflict and to expel foreign forces. The group also provided a sanctuary for terrorist groups like al-Qaeda in the past. After being ousted by the U.S. invasion in 2001, the Taliban waged an insurgency for two decades before regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, reinstating many of their previous policies including severe restrictions on women's rights and governance based on their ideology. In summary, the Taliban seeks to enforce a strict Islamic legal and social order in Afghanistan, maintain its political control independent of foreign influence, and govern according to their interpretation of Islam. Their rule has been marked by significant controversy due to human rights abuses and extremism.