The Northern Alliance has some Autonomous groups, but among them is the "Official Government of Afghanistan". Only three nations had ever recognized the Taliban militia groups as the Government of Afghanistan. Not even Iran has ever recognized them. Pakistan had recognized them because they created the Taliban. BTW, the Taliban is also in Pakistan, where it exists only as a religious movement.
# 411 by lepton
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That doesn't fly, lepton.
Lots of Arab nations refused to recognize the Jews
as the legitimate government of Israel.
History is full of wars waged to replace the government
of an enemy with the "legitimate" government of your allies.
The Talaban were in control of the Capitol and the nation.
A Declaration of War against the government in power is what war is about.
The point is which government the US recognizes.... and that IS, and consistently HAS been, the Northern Alliance. We aren't gonna declare war against them.
"The Jews" are not the official government of Israel. Only the Government of Israel. As to the Arab nations recognition, that might affect their declaration if they had a similar Constitution, but as they do not, it is a non-sequitor. We aren't talking about Pakistan warring with Afghanistan under our laws and Constitution - we're talking about the U.S. doing so against the Taliban.
FYI, the Taliban took Kabul, but the seat of government moved. Also, and not particularly relevant, they never controlled more than half the country. 50% controlled by Taliban, 35% in constant dispute, and 15% by the NA. No international body that I am aware of, and certainly not the U.N. had recognized the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan either, so we were in a rather large company.