The gusto with which the Taliban enforced its fundamentalist interpretation of the sharia was undoubtedly its major strength. What was difficult for Taliban officials was the day-to-day running of a nation that had been devastated by war since 1979. Roads had not been repaired, most of the cities had no electricity or running water, and the buildings that had been destroyed by mortars and bombs had not been cleared away or rebuilt. It was, remarked many citizens, as if the Taliban had no other plan for governing Afghanistan than creating new laws and arresting and beating people who did not obey them.

"Slowly Afghanistan Is Coming to a Halt"

Some citizens were philosophical about the new leaders. "We have religious scholars running our government," said one man. "How can someone educated only in matters of religion run a state?" Others wondered...