Afghan Taliban regime
A few days ago, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan suddenly ordered the nationwide optical fiber Internet connection to be cut off without any warning. The impact of this network disconnection operation is unprecedented in scope and intensity. As Afghanistan's telecommunications network relies heavily on shared optical fiber lines, the disconnection of high-speed Internet also affects mobile and fixed telephone services, that is, mobile phone and landline call functions.
At present, Afghanistan is experiencing a comprehensive connection interruption, becoming a rare large-scale information island in the world in recent years. An editor of an Afghan news channel sarcastically said that Afghanistan was engaged in a "disconnection competition" with North Korea and even won the first place. Earlier this month, the Taliban also banned books compiled by women in university textbooks.
In addition to the most basic communications affected, satellite television, airport flights, banking services, news media, and many other fields have also been affected to varying degrees of chaos. If the ban continues, it could have a serious impact on Afghanistan’s financial, media, education and other areas, especially in economic terms.
Afghan Capital Market
Many Afghans said that without the Internet, business could not be done. The Afghan economy is on the verge of collapse. Before the Taliban came to power, international aid accounted for more than 40% of Afghanistan's gross national product. Now that foreign exchange is frozen and international aid is interrupted, the unemployment rate once soared to nearly 40%, and more than 70% of the people are below the poverty line.
The crackdown has undoubtedly worsened the economy of Afghanistan, which has already been underway.The crackdown has also seriously affected the education path of Afghan women.Since the Taliban took power, girls have been banned from high schools and universities, and women can only rely on cybersecretion to receive education.
Afghan women
The official explanation given by the Taliban is that the move will help prevent the spread of "immoral content." However, scholars generally believe that this is only a superficial reason. In fact, the Taliban regime is trying to strengthen social control by controlling the flow of information and cover up domestic conflicts and human rights conditions.
The Taliban’s crackdown also contradicts the expectations of the international community, especially China. China has always emphasized that it hopes that ATA can make efforts on women’s education and human rights issues, and that China will also make every effort to support the Afghan people to make progress.
Meeting with Foreign Minister.
As of now, no second country other than Russia has recognized the legitimacy of the Taliban regime. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has visited Afghanistan several times, and every time he is sincere. China is very willing to help Afghanistan get back on track, but on issues of concern to China, Atta also wants to be more vocal. This disconnection of the Internet will not benefit Afghanistan's normal development.
In recent years, the Taliban has been trying to improve its international image through diplomatic means, and today's crackdown will undoubtedly increase the separation between Afghanistan and the international community.The international community's attitude toward the Taliban has been cautious, this crackdown will further weaken the international community's trust in the Taliban, and it will be harder for the ATA to gain international recognition.