How did the Western nations respond to the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan in the 1990s? Responses Western governments sought to ally with the Taliban, but Afghanistan sided with China. Western governments sought to ally with the Taliban, but Afghanistan sided with China. Western governments gave aid to the Taliban, but their citizens were outraged by this support. Western governments gave aid to the Taliban, but their citizens were outraged by this support. Western governments were appalled, but most people in the West paid little attention to the Taliban. Western governments were appalled, but most people in the West paid little attention to the Taliban. Western governments declared war on the Taliban, but Russian pressure forced them to back off.