I have quickly glossed over this thread. Would like to make a few quick points.
1. Are Taliban an American creation ?
US never created Taliban. US CAN be blamed for leading to the mess which created Taliban but US did NOT explicitly create the Taliban. No wonder that US did NOT recognize Taliban Afghanistan.
2. Aren't Taliban, the Mujhaideen created by the Americans ?
They are NOTthe "Mujhaideen" who fought the Soviets.
3. Then who are the Taliban ?
We need to make a distinction between the various branches of Taliban.
The Afghan Taliban who ruled Afghanistan, were mostly the Afghan refugees based/born/bred in Pakistan. They were the product of the
Deobandi Madrassas. Thousands of these madrasas dot the Af-pak border, and were bankrolled by the Arabs. They were born into abject poverty and the madrasas were their refuge. They were brainwashed islamists who were more knowledgeable in Taliban culture and had not been exposed to the rich Afghan culture. They were also supported by Pak establishment people, recruits from all over Pakistan.
The Seraiki/South Punjabi Taliban are again those belonging to the Deobandi Madrasas. These Madrasas provide refuge to the kids of poor seraikis and give the children food, education, shelter and teach them proper "Islam". Remember that South Punjab had a rich Barelvi and Sufi heritage but Deobandis are supreme now. There is also an aspect of class war exhibited in the formation of Seraiki Taliban. South Punjab has a lethal combination of feudalism, exploitation, islamism and poverty. Mullahs are asserting their power using the brainwashed madrasas educated youth.
The Swati) Taliban are Not brainwashed or hardened Islamists but are in most cases illiterate poor youth who are enjoying the trappings of power after possibly hundreds of years of feudal rule. They are exploiting both the poverty and class war in Swat. They have driven out the landlords, the erstwhile powerplayers. Some Talibani factions could be looking upto them but none really support them.
The Present Afghan Taliban are comprised of remnants of the Afghan Taliban and also fresh Pakistani and Afghan recruits. Their agenda is simple to defeat the US in Astan. They have support from powerful quarters in Pakistan and also in Astan. They however may or may not listen to the establishment but they do not attack Pakistan establishment. Many Afghan druglords, erstwhile warlords, powerful leaders, poor folk have allied/joined with this new Pashtun Taliban but are not necessarily Taliban in outlook, their loyalties can be bought. Infact many of their "soldiers" in Afghanistan are unemployed afghan pashtun folks and not necessarily hardened islamists or well trained soldiers. While the Pakistanis (Pashtun, Punjabi etc) are loyal and trained soldiers. Again there are several networks whose aim is solely to rid Afghanistan of US.
The Mehsud/TTP Taliban (Anti-Pak Taliban) are an interesting case. They were a group of disparate independent Taliban, islamists, militant and mujhaideen networks who banded together. They were able to usurp power in FATA by eliminating the tribal elders, then driving out the Pak military and subsequently forming their own islamic emirate. Infact Pak military action in NWFP, support for WoT, lal masjid, Nato's "invasion" of Afghanistan etc. was duly exploited by them. Many of their supporters and allies are non Pashtun Islamists belonging to erstwhile patronised and now banned extremist organizations (like the Seraiki Taliban and banned extremist organizations). They have some patrons in Pak establishment but the locals "supposedly" resent them. There is also an element of subnationalism in their movement. However their goal imho is to consolidate and hang onto their gains.
Misc Taliban most likely either an extremist organization or band of criminals using Taliban as a cover to carry out criminal activities.
4. Who created the Taliban ?
For the various Taliban - Zia's Islamism, Feudalism, Lack of Governance, Lack of development and/or Arab Money.