VOA标准英语2011--Afghan Taliban Evolves With Technology

Afghan Taliban Evolves With Technology

Since the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan 10 years ago, the Taliban has kept pace with changing technology - using the latest forms of communication to spread their message. Some analysts¹ say the insurgents² are more effective at outreach than even the Afghan government.
The Taliban's official website is multi-lingual, using Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Urdu and even English.
No matter how many times authorities block it, the site's administrators³ - believed to be based outside of Afghanistan - quickly restore service.
In contrast, the official website of the Afghan government was only recently reactivated, after being down for some time.
Both the government and the Taliban regularly email statements to reporters. But Siddiqullah Tawhidi, who monitors media in Afghanistan, said one side has an edge in outreach.
"The Taliban's spokesmen have benefited the most from technology and mobile phones," said Tawhidi. "They are always in contact with reporters, passing along their message and then monitoring the media to see if reporters pass it along. This happens at a time when the Afghan government has had difficulty getting its message to the media."
Afghanistan's mobile phone network, considered one of the Karzai government's biggest successes, also is known as the Taliban's biggest propaganda tool. And Danish Karokhel, with Pajhwok Afghan News, said the Taliban also uses mobile phones for intimidation⁴.
"Our reporters not only face threats through email and telephone, but they are also abducted⁵ and beaten. During the last year, Pajwak has lost three of its reporters," said Karokhel.
The Taliban banned TV, music and movies when it ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s.
But after a decade of war, the group seems to have readily embraced the 21st century's technology, even turning to social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter.

1 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

2 insurgents   

n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The regular troops of Baden joined the insurgents. 巴登的正规军参加到起义军方面来了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Against the Taliban and Iraqi insurgents, these problems are manageable. 要对付塔利班与伊拉克叛乱分子，这些问题还是可以把握住的。 来自互联网

3 administrators   

n.管理者( administrator的名词复数 )；有管理（或行政）才能的人；（由遗嘱检验法庭指定的）遗产管理人；奉派暂管主教教区的牧师

参考例句：

• He had administrators under him but took the crucial decisions himself. 他手下有管理人员，但重要的决策仍由他自己来做。 来自辞典例句
• Administrators have their own methods of social intercourse. 办行政的人有他们的社交方式。 来自汉英文学 - 围城

4 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

5 abducted   

劫持，诱拐( abduct的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（肢体等）外展

参考例句：

• Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that she was abducted. 侦探尚未排除她被绑架的可能性。
• The kid was abducted at the gate of kindergarten. 那小孩在幼儿园大门口被绑架走了。