Open figure viewer
Subject
Al-Qaida's future in Afghanistan.
Significance
The death of two al-Qaida leaders in Afghanistan highlights the group's continuing presence in the country and raises questions about the Taliban's promise to cut links with foreign jihadists in exchange for a deal with Washington. The Taliban's loyalty to al-Qaida survived the US invasion of 2001 and the more recent arrival of Islamic State (IS) with its exclusive claim to lead global jihad.
Impacts
Statements from Taliban representatives suggest a willingness to sign the nearly ready agreement with Washington.
The Afghan government will continue resisting a separate US-Taliban agreement.
Attacks deep in Taliban territory will encourage other jihadists to ally with IS.
Keywords:
Afghanistan,
RUCIS,
international relations,
politics,
civil war,
guerrillas,
talks,
terrorism
© Oxford Analytica 2020. All rights reserved. This content contains general information about geopolitical, macroeconomic and social developments or (where stated) other matters. It does not contain advice or recommendations that may be relied on. Where links to external websites are provided, this does not indicate that Oxford Analytica or Emerald agree with, endorse or have checked for accuracy the contents of said sites.
2019
You do not currently have access to this content.
