AN emeritus professor at the University of Bradford has described the Taliban’s quick seizure of power in Afghanistan as a “huge intelligence failure”.

Professor Paul Rogers, who is involved with the university’s Department of Peace Studies and International Development, said when US and UK governments intervened many years ago and the Taliban were pushed back, they were still “never far away. They controlled quite big rural areas.”

“When Joe Biden decided to get the Americans out, I expected the Taliban to take over at some stage but not so quick.

“It was a huge intelligence failure. No-one saw the speed of the Taliban advance.”

He also said some of the negotiations the Americans had with Taliban about their role after the withdrawal of troops were “deeply mistaken”.

“Clearly the Taliban are very determined and single-minded. When they succeeded in ousting the Soviets in 1980s, they always felt they could take on a super power. They are highly resistant to outside interference. When there are people prepared to give a young life for a cause, that can be extremely difficult to counter.”