Afghanistan: Terrorist Groups, the Presidential Election and International Relations

Afghanistan's geography, complex ethnic composition, and recent history of conflict and instability have created space for numerous regional armed groups. Chapter 1 outlines major terrorist groups affiliated and allied with Al Qaeda (AQ) and the Islamic State (IS) and the convoluted, often shifting relations between them and various other state and non-state actors. Chapter 2 examines the phenomenon of insurgent fragmentation within Afghanistan's Taliban and implications for the Afghan peace process. Chapter 3 reports on eight district-level studies on how the Taliban deliver services in areas of Afghanistan where they have control or dominance. Chapter 4 is based on first-hand research into the rise of Salafi-jihadism in urban areas of Afghanistan, a phenomenon that has supplied the Kabul cells of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) with abundant recruits. Chapter 5 examines whether displaced persons in Afghanistan are more vulnerable to radicalization and mobilisation to violence than groups that have not experienced displacement. On 12 September 2020, Afghan government and Taliban representatives officially met to begin inaugural direct peace negotiations in Doha, Qatar, a significant moment with potentially dramatic implications for the course of the Afghan conflict. Chapter 7 analyses the September 2019 Afghan presidential election, focusing on questions related to access to the elections, the counting and vote invalidation process, and political trends compared to the 2018 parliamentary and 2014 presidential elections. Chapter 8 explores the dynamics underpinning the India-Pakistan rivalry in Afghanistan. The interests, fears, and strategies of New Delhi and Islamabad are situated within the context of the Afghan war, developments in Kashmir, terrorism, and proxy violence. Chapter 9 analyses the special immigrant visa (SIV) classifications for Iraqis and Afghans within the context of both the larger Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) special immigrant category and selected other permanent admissions categories.

Format: Hardback
Length: 348 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2021
Publisher: Nova Science Publishers Inc

Afghanistan's geography, complex ethnic composition, and recent history of conflict and instability have created a fertile ground for numerous regional armed groups to operate. In Chapter 1, we outline the major terrorist groups affiliated and allied with Al Qaeda (AQ) and the Islamic State (IS), also known as ISIS, ISIL, or by the Arabic acronym Daesh. We explore the convoluted, often shifting relations between these groups and various other state and non-state actors. Chapter 2 delves into the phenomenon of insurgent fragmentation within Afghanistan's Taliban and its implications for the Afghan peace process. We conduct eight district-level studies to examine how the Taliban deliver services in areas of Afghanistan where they have control or dominance. Chapter 3 is based on first-hand research into the rise of Salafi-jihadism in urban areas of Afghanistan, a phenomenon that has supplied the Kabul cells of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) with abundant recruits. Chapter 4 examines whether displaced persons in Afghanistan are more vulnerable to radicalization and mobilization to violence than groups that have not experienced displacement.

On September 12, 2020, the Afghan government and Taliban representatives officially met in Doha, Qatar, to begin inaugural direct peace negotiations, a significant moment with potentially dramatic implications for the course of the Afghan conflict. Chapter 6 reports on these negotiations and their potential outcomes. Chapter 7 analyzes the September 2019 Afghan presidential election, focusing on questions related to access to the elections, the counting and vote invalidation process, and political trends compared to the 2018 parliamentary and 2014 presidential elections. Chapter 8 explores the dynamics underpinning the India-Pakistan rivalry in Afghanistan. We examine the interests, fears, and strategies of New Delhi and Islamabad in the Afghan context and their impact on regional security.

In conclusion, Afghanistan's complex geography, diverse ethnic composition, and turbulent history have provided a breeding ground for numerous regional armed groups and terrorist organizations. The relationship between these groups and other state and non-state actors is intricate and often shifting. The Afghan peace process faces challenges from insurgent fragmentation within the Taliban, while the rise of Salafi-jihadism and displacement pose risks to the country's stability. The India-Pakistan rivalry in Afghanistan also plays a significant role in shaping the regional dynamics. Understanding these complex factors is crucial for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to promote peace and stability in the region.

Weight: 592g
Dimension: 158 x 231 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781536198416