Zalmay Khalilzad

May 3, 2024 | Bill Roggio |

Architect of Doha agreement wrongly claims: ‘Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent has been dismantled’

Zalmay Khalilzad, the former Special Repressive for Afghanistan Reconciliation and the key architect of the Doha Agreement which aided the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, claimed that Al Qaeda’s...

April 27, 2023 | The LWJ Editors |

FDD’s Long War Journal’s response to Zalmay Khalilzad’s Twitter thread

In a brief Twitter thread responding to a recent article from The Washington Post, Zalmay Khalilzad, one of the key architects of the 2020 Doha Agreement that set the stage for the collapse...

November 5, 2021 | Thomas Joscelyn |

The Taliban’s Man in Washington

Zalmay Khalilzad is blaming Afghans for the failures that resulted from his deal with the Taliban.

October 1, 2021 | Thomas Joscelyn |

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.

September 20, 2021 | Jonathan Schanzer |

The Bizarre Positive Biden Spin on Afghanistan

No, the Taliban are not America’s partners

September 3, 2021 | Thomas Joscelyn

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...

June 4, 2021 | Thomas Joscelyn |

Al-Qaeda Is Still in Afghanistan, and It’s Fighting for Victory

The problem with Joe Biden’s ‘over the horizon’ strategy for fighting terrorism.

May 27, 2021 | Bill Roggio |

Afghan military targets Al Qaeda’s network in Helmand

The Afghan military has launched multiple attacks against Al Qaeda’s network in the southern province of Helmand over the past week. Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, Al Qaeda’s regional branch that...

May 21, 2021 | Thomas Joscelyn |

The Taliban and Al-Qaeda Are Closing In on Afghanistan’s Provincial Capitals

Plus, the Biden administration designates Iranian-backed Houthi leaders as terrorists.

May 19, 2021 | Thomas Joscelyn |

Taliban maintains close ties with al Qaeda, DIA reports

The Taliban has “maintained close ties with al Qaeda” and is “very likely preparing for large-scale offensives against population centers and Afghan government installations,” according to the Defense...

April 8, 2021 | Thomas Joscelyn |

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.

March 12, 2021 | Bill Roggio |

Latest U.S. proposal for ending Afghan conflict runs counter to Taliban beliefs

The United States recently drafted and proposed a plan to end the conflict in Afghanistan, but it featured several proposals that are diametrically opposed to the Taliban’s ideology, opening the door...

November 12, 2020 | Thomas Joscelyn |

America’s Biggest Adversaries Have Been Mostly Silent on Biden’s Election

China and Russia are waiting and seeing, but the Taliban has acknowledged the president-elect.

August 7, 2020 | Thomas Joscelyn |

An ISIS Jailbreak in Afghanistan

Is the Taliban secretly helping its jihadist rivals?

June 15, 2020 | Thomas Joscelyn |

Taliban falsely claims al Qaeda doesn’t exist in Afghanistan

General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), questioned the Taliban’s willingness to take action against al Qaeda during an online conference held last week. The...

May 13, 2020 | Thomas Joscelyn |

The Taliban Is Still the Main Driver of Violence in Afghanistan

Two recent attacks by ISIS only obscure that the Taliban is attacking the Afghan government daily.

April 6, 2020 | Thomas Joscelyn |

How Jihadists Are Reacting to the Coronavirus Pandemic

By calling it “divine retribution” and inviting Westerners to convert to Islam, for starters.

March 3, 2020 | Thomas Joscelyn, Bill Roggio

Analysis: Taliban leader declares victory after U.S. agrees to withdrawal deal

Shortly after the Trump administration signed its accord with the Taliban on Feb. 29, Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada declared “victory” on behalf “of the entire Muslim and Mujahid nation.”...

February 19, 2020 | Thomas Joscelyn |

Are We Headed Toward an Ignoble End in Afghanistan?

The question is less about when to leave and more about how to do so without further emboldening the Taliban.

January 21, 2020 | Bill Roggio |

Taliban admits ‘peace’ negotiations with U.S. are merely means to withdraw ‘foreign forces’

The Taliban admitted this week that current negotiations with the “arrogant” U.S. – often billed as “peace talks” that will purportedly end the fighting in Afghanistan – are merely being conducted...