Haqqani Network

How smouldering discontent affects the Taliban rule in Afghanistan

Factional rift and competing interests to move up the power ladder are among the key factors pushing the former insurgent group to the brink of implosion.

Haqqani shows his face for the first time at a police parade in Kabul

The leader of Haqqani Network and Afghanistan's Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani was dressed like many of the senior Taliban officials - very heavily bearded and wearing a black turban and white shawl.

What is Pakistan offering this terrorist group in return for peace?

Little is known about the ongoing talks between Islamabad and the militant group, which is behind some of the deadliest attacks in the country's history.

Daesh in Afghanistan: Challenge and opportunity for the Taliban

The Taliban’s challenge is to root out Daesh's Khorasan wing without sowing the seeds of another long war.

How the Taliban governs itself

The way the Taliban functions internally remains an enigma despite the fact that the group is now running Afghanistan. This is what we know about the group’s political structure.

US allows sanctions exemptions to facilitate entry of aid to Afghanistan

US Treasury issued two general licenses, one of which allows the US government, NGOs and certain international organizations, including the UN, to engage in transactions with the Taliban in a bid to provide aid to the war-torn country.

Will the Taliban split or is it the West's wishful thinking?

While some point out lingering factionalism inside the Taliban, others say that the ruling group in Kabul has shown its ‘cohesive’ nature by successfully negotiating with the US and defeating its enemies.

Will the Taliban go after Daesh-K in Afghanistan?

The Biden administration says it will hunt down the attackers of the deadly Kabul explosions, but the real question is how the Taliban will react.

Afghanistan is not going to be a democracy, says Taliban leader

The country will be governed by ruling council that would be answerable to the supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada.

How an Australian held hostage by the Taliban converted to Islam

Timothy Weeks now supports dialogue with the militant group as a way to end the years-long Afghan conflict.

A litmus test for Pakistan's 'zero-tolerance' policy on militancy

The escape of a notorious militant and the strong-arming of the state by a radical cleric has brought Pakistan's fight against militancy into question.

Taliban free US and Australian hostage as part of prisoner swap deal

The exchange for one American and one Australian imprisoned by the militant group was announced by the Afghan government on November 12 but was delayed when the commanders did not land in Qatar earlier.