Afghan VP Blames Taliban for Maintaining Ties with al-Qaeda
First Vice President Amrullah on Sunday said that the Taliban still maintains ties with al Qaeda and that their separation “is harder than desalination.” Keep Reading
The Future of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan
The recent killing of the deputy chief of al Qaeda’s Pakistani cadre, Muhammad Hanif (aka Zarar), whom the Afghan Taliban had sheltered, shows that even within al Qaeda, Taliban-allied Pakistani jihadists have kept supporting the Taliban in Afghanistan. Keep Reading
IS Khorasan, the U.S.–Taliban Deal, and the Future of South Asian Security
The relative rise of IS-K comes at a time when Afghanistan is embarking on a long process of reconciliation and potential peace with the Taliban, as the US plans its military withdrawal. Keep Reading
General Confirms the U.S. Has Helped the Taliban by Launching Drone Strikes Against ISIS
The head of U.S. Central Command confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. military has conducted drone strikes on the Islamic State terrorist group to assist the Taliban. Keep Reading
Taliban Reacts to U.S. Election Results After Endorsement of Trump
Group declares that "the future American president and administration need to be vigilant of war-mongering circles" who oppose pullout agreement that continues despite increased Taliban violence and continued al-Qaeda ties. Keep Reading
Afghanistan Attacks Up 50 Percent from Previous Quarter, Inspector General Tells Congress
SIGAR asked USFOR-A whether there have been any confirmed or suspected Taliban attacks on U.S. personnel or facilities since the beginning of the Afghan peace negotiations. The question drew a classified response. Keep Reading
ISIS Attack on Afghan University Leaves 22 Dead, 22 Wounded
Most of the casualties were students and there were fears the death toll could climb further with some of the wounded said to be in critical condition. Keep Reading
Afghan National Arrested for 2008 Abduction of American Journalist
On or about Nov. 10, 2008, Najibullah and his co-conspirators, armed with machineguns, kidnapped an American journalist (Victim-1) and two Afghan nationals who were assisting Victim-1 (Victim-2 and Victim-3) at gunpoint in Afghanistan. Keep Reading
Afghanistan’s Terrorism Challenge: The Political Trajectories of al-Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban, and the Islamic State
As America prepares to pull out its military forces from the country, policymakers remain divided on how terrorist groups in Afghanistan might challenge the security of the U.S. and the threat they pose to allies and regional countries. Keep Reading
Living with the Taliban: Local Experiences in Andar District, Ghazni Province
The Taleban have developed a structured governing system in Andar. Fighters and commanders play sweeping roles, including constituting the district’s supervisory commission, staffing various sectoral commissions to do with health, education etc. Keep Reading
Abu Muhsin al-Masri: Afghan Forces Kill al-Qaeda’s ‘Second-in-Command’
Al-Masri, an Egyptian national, was on the FBI's "most wanted terrorists list." He was charged in the United States with conspiring to kill US nationals and providing resources to a foreign terrorist organization. Keep Reading
At Least 30, Mostly Youths, Killed in Suicide Bombing in Western Kabul
At least 30 people were killed and over 70 were wounded outside an educational center in the western part of Kabul city on Saturday evening, a security official confirmed. Keep Reading
U.S. Embassy Warns Women of Heightened Attack Risk in Afghanistan
The message issued by the U.S. Embassy in Kabul advises citizens to review personal security plans and carry a communication device, notify a trusted person of travel and movement plans, avoid large crowds, gatherings, and demonstrations. Keep Reading
Green Berets Receive Valor Awards for Grueling Eight-Hour Firefight Against Elite Taliban Force in Afghanistan
A group of Green Berets has received valor awards for their heroic actions during a grueling eight-hour firefight against Taliban forces in Afghanistan last year, the Army announced last week. Keep Reading
Esper Says U.S. Troop Presence in Afghanistan Will be ‘Less Than 5,000’ by November
Esper cautioned that the troop reduction would be "conditions-based" and carried out as long as the Pentagon felt it could proceed with missions in the region with fewer troops. Keep Reading
ISIS Attack on Afghan Prison Leaves at Least 29 Dead
A suicide bomber drove a car loaded with bombs into the prison's main gate, exploding it. ISIS fighters moved in through the gap, firing on prison guards. Keep Reading
Al-Qaeda Training Taliban in Helmand: Local Officials
Local officials in Helmand province, in southern Afghanistan, have said that Al Qaeda has a strong presence in the province's districts alongside the Durand Line and in border areas between Afghanistan and Iran. Keep Reading
A Bloodied ISIS Still a Threat in Afghanistan as It Looks to Recruit Disgruntled Taliban
The Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan has suffered heavy losses in the past year but could spoil the country’s peace process by attacking cities and recruiting Taliban splinter groups angered by the negotiations. Keep Reading
Afghan Girl Who Killed Taliban Gunmen ‘Ready to Fight Again’
An Afghan girl who shot dead two Taliban fighters after they gunned down her parents said she was ready to confront any other insurgents who might try to attack her. Keep Reading
‘Don’t Redeem the Taliban,’ Afghan Social Media Users Ask World Before Peace Talks
Afghans shared accounts of violence linked to the Taliban on social media with the hashtag phrase ‘don’t redeem the Taliban’ as anxiety grows as the United States withdraws troops and attempts to usher peace talks with the militant group. Keep Reading