Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article ‘Afghanistan’s Throes of Instability and Conflict’ has been published in Chanakya Forum on 19 June 2023.
Afghanistan, the ‘graveyard of empires,’ has experienced continuous conflicts and instability within its borders and with Pakistan and Iran. The Taliban has enforced strict rules on ordinary Afghans, leaving them no means to evade their oppressive regime, says Ms Kidwai.
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article Af-Pak: Terrorism, Organized Crime, And Competitive Violent Jihad – Analysis’ has been published in Eurasia Review on 19 June 2023.
The last two years have proven catastrophic for Afghanistan’s stability and security in traditional and non-traditional domains. The regime change has also resulted in fissures between Pakistan and its previously strategic depth partner (Afghan Taliban), while the former has borne the consequences of nurturing terrorism and oppressing its Baloch populace, says Ms Kidwai.
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s article ‘Taliban Vs ISKP: Warring Actors in an Unstable Afghanistan’ has been published in Eurasia Review on 15 June 2023.
Groups like ISIS or any of its prominent affiliates have been infamous for their demonstrated adaptability in response to on-ground circumstances. This has posed a grave security threat to the affected states. Afghanistan is poised to be caught in this dilemma for a prolonged duration.
Balochistan is one of the most restive areas in Pakistan that has endured systematic and extraordinary suppression at the hands of the Pakistani State and its security forces. The Baloch form a distinct ethno-national identity, and dream of creating a Baloch nation-state, but this runs contrary to the overarching Pakistani identity and State, attracting their fury. The Baloch have struggled for decades for international recognition of their plight but have hardly received any support.
Research Analyst, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Ms Saman Ayesha Kidwai’s research article ‘Rivalry between the Taliban and ISKP: The Collision of Terror’ has been published in India Quarterly Journal on 20 October 2022.
Concerns of radicalisation in SDF-run facilities in Syria remain high, given that reports flag corruption, crime, and deplorable security conditions at these camps.
Challenges, such as weak infrastructure and ill-equipped armed forces, corruption, pandemic, and drought, have become intrinsic to Somalia, mutually reinforcing each other. Additionally, they have been exploited by terrorists to advance their Islamist cause. While re-evaluating counter-terrorism strategies to defeat al-Shabaab, the allied partners should carefully consider these factors’ role in sustaining the insurgency and address the security crisis – state and human security – accordingly.
Escalating Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban
Border clashes and failure to act against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have led to rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.