By Bill Roggio & Alexandra Gutowski, FDD'S Threat Matrix: “For decades, the country has permitted a number of jihadist groups to openly operate under its aegis. Many of these groups – such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Harakat-ul-Muhahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami – were created with the support of Pakistan’s military and the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate.”
By Jonathan Schanzer, The Hill: “The long slog in Afghanistan just got longer. But at least this time we are not certain that the war will end in an American defeat.”
Military Leaders Consolidate Power in Trump Administration
By Robert Costa & Philip Rucker, The Washington Post: “Connected by their faith in order and global norms, these military leaders are rapidly consolidating power throughout the executive branch as they counsel a volatile president. Some establishment figures in both political parties view them as safeguards for the nation in a time of turbulence.”
By Bennett Seftel, The Cipher Brief: “Since U.S forces entered into Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11, Pakistan has stood on the frontlines of U.S. efforts to dismantle regional terrorist groups including core al Qaeda who fled to Pakistan following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, and, more recently, ISIS’ Khorasan branch based in Afghanistan.”