The UN describes al Qaeda’s relationship with the Taliban as “long-standing” and “strong,” finding that the international terrorist organization “continues to see Afghanistan as a safe haven for its leadership.” Keep Reading
Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad expressed optimism after talks in Qatar wrapped up over the weekend but said, "Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed." Keep Reading
Naif Abdulaziz M. Alfallaj has been in custody since February, faces up to 18 years in prison and could also be fined $500,000. Keep Reading
Various parallels in the nature and timing of ISK’s attacks in both countries indicate that ISK activity is coordinated across the AfPak region to a certain degree. Keep Reading
The major in the Utah National Guard was killed Saturday while serving with his unit in Kabul, which is helping to train Afghan defense forces. Keep Reading
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and indicated Gen. Scott Miller, who commands U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and Kandahar police chief Gen. Abdul Raziq were the intended targets. Keep Reading
Advisors have little direct contact with conventional ANDSF units on the front lines. As a result, DoD relies on those units' self-assessments of tactical abilities, which, according to DoD officials, can be unreliable. Keep Reading
The idea that the Taliban are now striving to provide good governance might strain credulity, given the draconian cruelty of their rule from 1996 to 2001. Keep Reading
Afghan leader Ashraf Ghani’s deputy spokesperson confirmed that Abu Sayeed Orakzai, Islamic State's leader in Afghanistan, had been killed. Keep Reading
GAO continues to believe that its May 2016 recommendation for DOD to develop a strategic policy for retrograde and reset that incorporates key elements of strategic management planning is valid. Keep Reading
