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The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute
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  • Home
  • About us
  • Research and Impact
    • Research Areas
    • Research Impact
    • Publications
    • Digital Events & Public Engagement
    • Blogs
    • GFA25
  • Podcasts
    • Taliban Turbans and The Smartphone
    • Mitchell Institute Conversations Podcast
    • The Partition of Ireland: Causes and Consequences
    • Postgraduate MPod Podcast
  • People
    • Academic Staff
    • GRI Fellows
    • Research-Funded Posts
    • Visiting Scholars
    • Professors Emeriti
    • Honorary Professors
    • Honorary Professors of Practice
    • International Advisory Board
  • Study
    • LINAS Doctoral Training Programme
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    • MA Conflict Transformation and Social Justice
    • Previous Scholarships
  • News
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In This Section
  • Series 4 - Episode 2
  • Series 4 - Episode 1
  • Series 3 - Episode 9
  • Series 3 - Episode 8
  • Series 3 - Episode 7
  • Series 3 - Episode 6
  • Series 3 - Episode 5
  • Series 3 - Episode 4
  • Series 3 - Episode 3
  • Series 3 - Episode 2
  • Series 3 - Episode 1
  • Series 2 - Episode 15
  • Series 2 - Episode 14
  • Series 2 - Episode 13
  • Series 2 - Episode 12
  • Series 2 - Episode 11
  • Series 2 - Episode 10
  • Series 2 - Episode 9
  • Series 2 - Episode 8
  • Series 2 - Episode 7
  • Series 2 - Episode 6
  • Series 2 - Episode 5
  • Series 2 - Episode 4
  • Series 2 - Episode 3
  • Series 2 - Episode 2
  • Series 2 - Episode 1
  • Series 1 - Episode 6
  • Series 1 - Episode 5
  • Series 1 - Episode 4
  • Series 1 - Episode 3
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  • Series 1 - Episode 1

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  • Taliban Turbans and The Smartphone
  • Series 3 - Episode 1

Series 3 - Episode 1

Is Afghanistan Under the Taliban an Authoritarian State? And What Difference Does That Determination Make?

On 2 February 2024 a speech in Kabul by leading Shia cleric Ayatollah Waizzada caught the attention of people across Afghanistan. The Taliban authorities had given their blessing to a meeting which they hoped would calm down the Hazara community which was agitated over reports of young women being detained for hijab infringements. The cleric’s speech provides an example of the use of coded language by people living under an authoritarian regime. The literal meaning of what he said was placatory but it contained an implicit warning to the authorities that they would face an uprising if they did not curb their abuses.

The episode considers the ways in which Taliban rule is authoritarian in nature and sets out the implications for international engagement with the Taliban and for Afghans living under or hoping to resist Taliban rule.

Podcast produced by Colm Heatley.

Professor Michael Semple

Professor Michael Semple

Professor Michael Semple works on innovative approaches to peace-making and engagement with militant Islamic movements in Afghanistan and South Asia.

View profile Email Michael

Taliban Turbans and The Smartphone
  • Taliban Turbans and The Smartphone
  • Series 4 - Episode 2
  • Series 4 - Episode 1
  • Series 3 - Episode 9
  • Series 3 - Episode 8
  • Series 3 - Episode 7
  • Series 3 - Episode 6
  • Series 3 - Episode 5
  • Series 3 - Episode 4
  • Series 3 - Episode 3
  • Series 3 - Episode 2
  • Series 3 - Episode 1
  • Series 2 - Episode 15
  • Series 2 - Episode 14
  • Series 2 - Episode 13
  • Series 2 - Episode 12
  • Series 2 - Episode 11
  • Series 2 - Episode 10
  • Series 2 - Episode 9
  • Series 2 - Episode 8
  • Series 2 - Episode 7
  • Series 2 - Episode 6
  • Series 2 - Episode 5
  • Series 2 - Episode 4
  • Series 2 - Episode 3
  • Series 2 - Episode 2
  • Series 2 - Episode 1
  • Series 1 - Episode 6
  • Series 1 - Episode 5
  • Series 1 - Episode 4
  • Series 1 - Episode 3
  • Series 1 - Episode 2
  • Series 1 - Episode 1
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The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice 

Queen's University Belfast
18-19 University Square
Belfast
United Kingdom
BT7 1NN

T: +44 (0) 28 9097 3609 / 1346 
E: mitchell.institute@qub.ac.uk

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