You are simplifying a complex dynamic there, Till. First, the Taliban were not created by the ISI. In fact, they have been in existence for hundreds of years. You will even see mention of them by Churchill during 'The Great Game.' You are partly right about the Pak connection, but keep in mind that the tribal area of Pak is still regarded as Afghanistan by the inhabitants (all Pashtun), given the Duran Line was an arbitrary border. The Russian invasion was the catalyst for the Taliban formation, which included some foreign fighters, but was mostly a coagulation of Pashtun tribesman aided by the ISI (Pakistan) and the Americans. It evolved from there, and the rest is history.
