Seeking Security

Taliban fighters in Afghanistan who strode into Kabul's presidential palace last weekend were not some ragtag militia.The insurgents are backed by huge profits from many sources, from drugs to wealthy foreign donors. Money helps.But can the Taliban make the ledgers work to govern?Related: Ryan Crocker calls Biden's comments on Afghan forces appallingBrookings scholar Vanda Felbab-Brown has spent years studying the Taliban's finances. She joined The World's host Marco Werman to discuss the Taliban's current financial status and challenges. Related: Women are worried about what Taliban control means for them In this Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 file photo, An Afghan money changer, right, counts a pile of currency at the Money and Exchange Market in Kabul.  Credit: Massoud Hossaini/AP/File  Marco Werman: What sort of financial resources does the Taliban come to government with? How much are they worth?Vanda Felbab-Brown: Well, the Taliban has been taxing any kind of