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the chief beneficiaries of the 'Taliban' style of Islam... the total empowerment of the 'Male' in Society, at the exclusion of Women,

I think you are getting close, but I don't think it's that simple. I see a fear of women in a lot of their behavior. I also suspect that there is a heavy component of 'stooping to conquer' going on, in a dimension that is not obvious to Westerners. The places where these people live are a lot tougher to survive in than our air-conditioned offices with indoor plumbing would lead us to expect. There is a whole bunch of back-breaking work going on every day, just to keep food on the table. The women are 'forced' to stay in their homes while this work goes on? Are you sure you know who is 'empowered' in this scheme?

"The women are 'forced' to stay in their homes while this work goes on? Are you sure you know who is 'empowered' in this scheme? "

Good observation. Whenever we see an "on the scene" report from Afghanistan, there's this perpetual backdrop of Afghani men carrying stuff. Often it's a bundle of kindling that probably took a half a day or more to gather, given that the press reports that Afghanistan has been about 70% deforested for firewood in the last 25 years. These guys look none to healthy either. The young ones are likely off exercising their "privilege" of dying for the cause of their Taliban oppressors.