Taliban Sends 9/11 Message to War-Weary Americans

The Afghan Taliban used the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks to ramp up its information war against the U.S.-led coalition.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's "Voice of Jihad" media company released a message today that suggests the Taliban is acutely aware of hardships facing America, counting on them to eventually force the U.S. to withdrawal and surrender.  In the message, the Taliban aludes to “heavy financial losses amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars," likely alluding to the country's struggling economy, mounting taxpayer discontent and waning support for the war.

The message also underscores the insurgency's disinterest in reconciling with the U.S.-backed Karzai government.  The Taliban writes that they will continue to fight until “the invaders are no more in Afghanistan,” and will continue the battle until “an Islamic sovereignty is established there.”  The group restates their goal to  “establish a strong and independent Islamic system”  as “the legitimate right of the Afghans to determine the future destiny of Afghanistan.”