Collapse and Conquest: The Taliban Strategy That Seized Afghanistan

The key to victory, Mr. Giustozzi and other analysts said, was the Taliban’s plan to threaten and cajole security forces and government officials into surrendering, first at the checkpoint and outpost level, then the district and provincial level as they swept through the countryside. “They contacted everyone and offered the chance to surrender or switch sides, with incentives, including money and rewarding people with appointments afterward."