What’s Up With The Taliban and the Rest of the Bad Guys?
The U.S. intelligence folks just gave Congress a heads‑up that the Islamic State in Afghanistan (ISIS‑K) might be ready to smash the United States in as few as six months. A senior Pentagon guy, Colin Kahl, told lawmakers that the Taliban and ISIS‑K are “mortal enemies” and the ruler Taliban is really hot to take the blowout of ISIS‑K. But whether the Taliban can pile on the old shunt is still a mystery.
Why The Taliban Doesn’t Overlook ISIS‑K
After the U.S. pulled out in August, the Taliban has got every new high‑five with the country’s minions. But that hasn’t stopped the Islamists from hitting back with bomb blasts targeting Shi’a minorities and even a brutal beheading of a Taliban militia member in Jalalabad. So the Taliban has to balance eliminating a real side‑kick threat while staying immaculate on the national security front.
Al Qaeda: The Extra Mystery Piece
Kahl said the “all‑star” resistance from al Qaeda in Afghanistan may take a year or two to rebuild. The problem? The Taliban used to hide al Qaeda’s big heads after the 9/11 hits. That is why the U.S. invaded back in 2001. If a rogue al Qaeda group plants itself in a friendly camp with the Taliban, it could be tricky for the U.S. to demolish them without troops on the ground.
Why Are Spies and Drones Still Needed?
Despite the chaos that came from the U.S. war wrap‑up last summer (which didn’t help President Biden’s poll numbers), Americans are juggling a sharp‑eye strategy. Kahl said the U.S. wants intelligence throughout Afghanistan to sniff out or neutralize the liars and kits of al Qaeda and ISIS‑K. Big drones are on a hunt eagle‑style and cruise the air from elsewhere in the Gulf, but the U.S. has yet to come up with a new treaty for making the neighboring countries host troops for top‑level counterterror operations.
Bottom Line
- ISIS‑K is fast‑moving and could attack the U.S. in six months.
- The Taliban and ISIS‑K are “dead‑pockets” of badness, but the Taliban may or may not crush ISIS‑K.
- Al Qaeda’s comeback is slower, but the Taliban’s ties with them add a waaaay harder puzzle.
- The U.S. plans a mix of spies, drones, and possibly foreign troop agreements to keep all these bad actors in check.
That’s the scoop, folks. Stay safe out there—whether you’re in the Middle East, the Himalayas, or even a coffee shop with the best latte in town, the U.S. is on its toes watching for any trouble from afar.
