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The Taliban in Afghanistan had close political and economic ties to this terrorist organization. What is the organization's name?

The Taliban had close ties to Al-Qaeda.  In American news immediately after the invasion of Afghanistan in November 2001, these two organizations were used almost interchangeably.  In recent news, the Taliban and the secular government in Afghanistan have negotiated an uneasy peace.  Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda has opened up operations in Yemen and other places along the Arabian Peninsula.  They are still a considerable force in Iraq and attacks from truck bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are still fairly common, even as the U.S. scales back its role in stabilizing the Iraqi government in order to further engage Islamic State, which is a rival organization to Al-Qaeda.  


The U.S. actually assisted the Taliban covertly during the Afghan-Soviet War that began in 1979.  The word "Taliban" actually translates into "holy warriors" and they started as part of the Mujaheddin forces that received aid and advice from CIA operatives in the region.   

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