I don’t think this is an accurate take. The Taliban does not have support of most of the masses. Various surveys consistently show that public support for democ

I don’t think this is an accurate take. The Taliban does not have support of most of the masses. Various surveys consistently show that public support for democracy is more widespread than support for an Islamic emirate (example https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/03/30/afghans-want-peace-new-data-show-theyre-open-surprising-number-options/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/03/30/afghans-w...). This makes sense - something like 2/3rds of Afghanis are under 25. They only know a relatively peaceful life without oppression or repression, under elected governments with America’s backing. The women and children in Afghanistan don’t want a society where they can’t get educated or where music and other media are banned. People didn’t resist because the US strategy to exit so quickly left them mentally unprepared and also demoralized them by lending credence to the notion that the Taliban’s threat demanded a hasty exit. America also really didn’t make a great attempt at establishing a professional, sustainable Afghan military (see https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/08/how-america-failed-afghanistan/619740/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/08/how-americ...) which is why military generals and various reports recommended against a hasty compete exit of US troops. The first few villages and province capitals to fall made the Afghani people fearful and they are just a poor people looking to survive. It isn’t worth getting killed if they think it is an unwinnable situation. But they’re still hungry for democracy and peace.