[mywittyname]

The Taliban are a political faction.

Yes, they are responsible for horrific crimes, but the American Government call them terrorists in an effort to delegitimatize them. Which is why so many people are now surprised by claims that the Taliban are gaining / have gained control of Afghanistan: they can't fathom how a terrorist group can rule a country. But you change their label to be more accurate, and it clicks for people.

Words are powerful.