It is astounding how woefully ignorant Bernard Lewis is on Arab and Middle East developments in the 20th century. Look at this: "The Afghan people, who had successfully defied the British Empire in its prime, found a way to resist the Soviet invaders. An organization known as the Taliban (literally, "the students") began to organize resistance and even guerilla warfare against the Soviet occupiers and their puppets. For this, they were able to attract some support from the Muslim world--some grants of money, and growing numbers of volunteers to fight in the Holy War against the infidel conqueror." Of course, the Taliban came much later. It did not exist at the time, and the first military activity by Taliban did not take place until 1994. (thanks Regan)