163. Mic Drop: From banned to beloved, the Taliban’s unexpected embrace of the Internet

Omar Sharifi, an Afghan anthropologist, discusses the Taliban's surprising turnaround from destroying media to exploiting social media for image rehabilitation. He reveals how the group is now using slick videos and digital platforms to sway global perceptions. Topics include their strategic embrace of technology, the evolution from extremism to online influence, and the rising resistance on social media, especially from women. Sharifi provides insights into the complex dynamics of digital narratives contrasting authoritarian control and grassroots challenges.