Al Qaeda leader calls foreign fighters to Afghanistan
In the latest issue of pamphlets released by al Qaeda’s central as-Sahab media entitled “This is Gaza: A War of Existence, Not a War of Borders,” Sayf al-Adl, believed to be al Qaeda’s current...
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Taliban ends ceasefire with Pakistani government, vows ‘revenge attacks’ across the country
The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan has officially ended its six month-long ceasefire with the Pakistani government. Mufti Muzahim, the “Minister of Defense” of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan...
Op-eds
Pakistani Taliban emir says his group “is a branch of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”
The leader of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan (TTP) said that his group “is a branch of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” during a tour of several of the group’s bases across Pakistan’s...
Op-eds
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen Stands Up to Xi Jinping
A tale of two speeches.
Op-eds
The Taliban Is Using the Doha Accord to Protect Al-Qaeda
That's one of many problems with ‘over the horizon’ counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan.
Op-eds
Influential Taliban commanders appointed to key positions in new regime
The Taliban tapped two important military commanders, one who is a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay and the other who worked closely with Iran’s Qods Force, to serve as deputies in the interior and defense...
Op-eds
Islamic State bombs Taliban convoys in eastern Afghanistan
The Islamic State’s Khorasan Province has claimed responsibility for a series of bombings that targeted Taliban convoys throughout the city of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province. The group claims...
Op-eds
Taliban’s government includes designated terrorists, ex-Guantanamo detainees
The Taliban has announced the formation of an “interim government” to rule over Afghanistan. The Taliban’s regime will be known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. This is entirely unsurprising....
Op-eds
Taliban blames America for 9/11 in video celebrating its own suicide squads
The Taliban blames America for the 9/11 hijackings in a newly-released video that was aired on Afghan television. The production, “Victorious Force 3,” is the latest in a series of short films celebrating...
Op-eds
What We Know—and Don’t Know—About ISIS-K
The group has claimed responsibility for the bombing outside the Kabul airport.
Op-eds
Taliban’s special forces outfit providing ‘security’ at Kabul airport
Taliban-linked social media accounts claim that members of the group’s Badri 313 outfit are providing “security” at Kabul’s international airport. Badri 313 is a special forces wing of the Taliban’s...
Op-eds
Pakistani Taliban’s emir renews allegiance to Afghan Taliban
Noor Wali Mehsud, the emir of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, or the Pakistani Taliban), has renewed his oath of allegiance to the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Mehsud also celebrates the...
Op-eds
Taliban ‘martyrdom’ unit attacks Afghan defense minister’s home in Kabul
The Taliban’s “martyrdom battalion” attacked the home of Afghanistan’s acting Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi in Kabul yesterday evening. Mohammadi survived the assassination attempt. The Taliban...
Op-eds
The Situation in Afghanistan Is Much Worse Than You Realize
The U.S. military is downplaying the Taliban’s gains, and the U.S. and U.N. are pretending there is a viable peace process.
Op-eds
Taliban leader boasts of security under his Islamic Emirate
On May 9, the Taliban released a statement attributed to its “Emir of the Faithful,” Hibatullah (Haibatullah) Akhunzada, who has been the overall leader of the group since 2016. Akhunzada claims victory...
Op-eds
Pakistani Taliban claims suicide bombing in Quetta
Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (the TTP, or Pakistani Taliban) has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a luxury hotel in Quetta, Pakistan. The group has identified the terrorist responsible as...
Op-eds
Taliban demands U.S. withdraw forces by May 1 deadline
The Taliban has rejected President Biden’s decision to withdrawal all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of Al Qaeda’s attack on the U.S., and demanded that all U.S....
Op-eds
Taliban rejects U.S. peace plan, six month extension in withdrawal deadline
The Taliban has published a statement rejecting the reported terms of a State Department peace plan for Afghanistan, as well as a proposed six-month delay in the U.S. withdrawal from the country. The...
Op-eds
The Biden Administration Shouldn’t Make Any More Concessions to the Taliban
The group wants a caliphate, not a power-sharing arrangement with the Afghan government.
Op-eds
Biden Must Reckon With the Failed Doha Deal
Leaving U.S. troops in Afghanistan past May 1 threatens their safety. Withdrawing all of them would further weaken the Afghan government.