طالبان is a militant group that emerged in the early 1990s in Afghanistan. They gained control of the country in 1996 and enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Their rule was marked by severe restrictions on women's rights and public behavior. In 2001, the U.S. led an invasion of Afghanistan to dismantle the Taliban regime after the group provided sanctuary to al-Qaeda following the September 11 attacks. After years of conflict, the Taliban regained power in August 2021, leading to concerns about human rights and governance in the country.