Assessments

Afghan Taliban fighters listen to Mullah Mohammad Rasool Akhund (unseen), the newly appointed leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban, at Bakwa in the western province of Farah, Nov. 3. 

Despite recent gains, infighting within the Taliban prevents the group from making progress in peace talks, as does mistrust between Islamabad and Kabul.

No Peace Without Unity in Afghanistan

Highlights

United States

Afghanistan

Sri Lanka

Military & Security

Politics

Although the Taliban has exploited the security vacuum created by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force drawdown, a leadership struggle is exacerbating the Islamic fundamentalist movement's internal divisions and derailing future prospects for peace negotiations. And despite diplomatic progress being made between Afghanistan and Pakistan, a number of problems will prevent the peace process from gaining traction, not least of which is a deep-founded legacy of mistrust. 

ASSESSMENTS

No Peace Without Unity in Afghanistan

Subscribe to view this article