Hibatullah’s message, which was published today on the Taliban’s official website, Voice of Jihad, is consistent with the Taliban’s strategy of ramping up the pressure while negotiating with the US to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan. The “true Islamic system” and “Islamic government” that Hibatullah refers to is the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. It is a decisive achievement that majority of the Afghan political class currently backs the Islamic Emirate in its demand for the establishment of an Islamic government and withdrawal of foreign forces and supports its eighteen-year lawful call (for such an outcome).