The Evolving Jihad in South Asia

Improving ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan threatens extremists in both nations and in the neighborhood: “Pakistani Taliban factions are closing ranks; al-Qaeda aims to subvert peace talks between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban; and jihadists connected to the Islamic State appear to be seeking to establish a foothold in the region through sectarian violence,” writes strategic political and security consultant Arif Rafia for the Diplomat. Both countries have stepped up efforts to subdue militants and include the Afghan Taliban in negotiations. Extremists agitated over the Afghan peace process struggle to find safe bases in Afghanistan. One troubling development: The Islamic State is recognizing a notional government in the province of Khurasan, which stretches across Afghanistan into Pakistan and beyond, and possibly instigating attacks against Muslims, particularly Shia, who defy the group’s rigid ideology. As the West pressures Iran to curb its nuclear program and debates how quickly to end sanctions, Islamic State terrorists threaten Iran’s borders from Iraq in the West and Afghanistan in the East. – YaleGlobal