The Taliban has overthrown the Afghan government and is now in control of the capital, Kabul. Former president Ghani has fled and US President Biden is left wondering why, as the Afghan government had superior forces, did it collapse so swiftly?
Why Did They Win So Fast?
Key to Taliban victory was clever use of three ‘modern’ technologies: smart phones, data analysis and cheap motorcycles.
Smart Phones
Smart phones are the most powerful battlefield command and control tool ever invented. They are cheap, easily charged and easily replaced when lost.
As video in recent days of the motorcycle mounted Taliban cavalry showed clearly, many of the fighters were constantly on the phone, sending real-time battlefield data back to commanders, and receiving orders.
This information web gave the Taliban the ability to concentrate their forces as and where needed – while reacting almost instantaneously to any moves by government forces.
But it wasn’t just instant communications which gave the Taliban the advantage, for years the Taliban has been gathering data from captured phones – assembling data streams which revealed government strengths and weaknesses.
Big Data Analysis
Taliban commanders have, for years, instructed low level fighters to go through seized smart phones looking for activities they deem ‘immoral’.
Taliban were deployed to rural highways where they established checkpoints, waving down all traffic and demanding phones for inspection.
Terrified travellers would hand over phones and be extremely relieved to have got away with their lives.
But the Taliban weren’t just policing morals, they were gathering data – on individual and troop movements, supply chains and individual involvement in ‘immoral activities’ – for example, like educating girls.
Motorbike Cavalry
The Taliban turned the humble 125cc Honda into the calvary steed of the 20th Century.
With rank and file soldiery drawn from rural and suburban youth, motorcycle riding is second nature. They don’t need to be trained, just assigned and controlled – by mobile phone.
Back in 2013 a US Army intelligence (Wikileaks!) revealed that coalition forces had struggled to battle Taliban fighters who used motorcycles to cover ground quickly.
The Taliban preferred to use Chinese-built Hondas and used the motorcycles both as transport – to move into position – and as a mobile launch platform. Two Taliban on a Honda would drive toward a coalition position armed with rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns.
Taliban cavalry – on two-wheeled Honda steeds
The Taliban would ride in pairs, with one riding and the other manning a machine gun or grenade launcher to strike coalition forces.
The Taliban opted for Hondas as they were reliable and economical.
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