Important investigation by @LynzyBilling on an unreported December attack at the (in)famous Camp Chapman, which indicates how the US military is hushing violence to protect the Doha agreement. I am quoted in the story with @and_huh_what and @MichaelKugelman.
"The attack killed four members of the Khost Protection Force, or KPF—a CIA-trained and equipped militia that maintains an iron grip on the province—as well as three Afghan soldiers and at least six civilians."
"Employees at the base familiar with the situation confirmed that U.S. advisers were still at Chapman at the time of the attack."
"The attack on Chapman is not the first apparent violation of the U.S.–Taliban agreement. Rocket attacks hit several bases housing American troops, including Camp Bastion...in late July..."
"...and Camp Dwyer, a large U.S. military base about 50 miles south of Bastion, in late August. And in December, Bagram Airfield—the largest American base in Afghanistan— was targeted..."
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Some thoughts on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's Iran-al-Qaida nexus speech: 1/n
1. Pompeo today made a case for how al-Qaida poses a major threat to the US and allied interests in the Middle East in a host of ways. But last few years, the Trump admin -- led by him -- has been arguing the opposite to overstate own CT track record and withdraw from Afghanistan
In March 2020, he said on Fox and Friends: "Al Qaeda is a shadow of its former self" foxnews.com/media/sec-pomp…
Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar has assured Afghan Foreign Minister Atmar of a "boost" in military assistance as the US draws down from Afghanistan. What have Afghan leaders asked of India over the last year? Short list I have come across: 1/n theprint.in/diplomacy/indi…
Last year in January, @praveenswami reported that Afghan National Security Adviser Mohib asked India for "...at least a Brigade — perhaps even a Division —of Indian troops to be deployed in a peacekeeping role..." cnbctv18.com/views/afghanis…
In September, Dostum was in India, met the foreign minister and foreign secretary, but made no statement or leaked anything on what he wanted from India: economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-…
Reminder by @BRRubin here that US gov't committed to, among other sanctions relief, removing Taliban leaders from the rewards for justice list by Aug 27, 2020.
Language in the agreement here:
Who all from the Taliban is on the rewards for justice list? Basically five Haqqani leaders, I think 1) Siraj Haqqani 2) Aziz Haqqani 3) Yahya Haqqani 4) Khalil Haqqani 5) Abdul Zakir (might be dead?) rewardsforjustice.net/english/most-w…
.@Tmgneff, @fahimabed, & @NajimRah with a detailed look at the information dissemination and control strategies of the major political players -- Afghan gov't, Taliban and the US military -- in Afghanistan. nytimes.com/2021/01/10/wor…
"[When confronted with incidents of civilian harm by govt forces] Even the pretense of accountability shifted to outright condemnation of those going against the government’s bottom line, probably because of a fear of losing public standing further."
"As the Taliban have scaled up their propaganda distribution, the Afghan government has tightened the reins on official dialogue with the public."
"...[Afghan gov't says] cease-fire would be the delegation’s top priority. The Taliban, who have used attacks against security forces and civilians as leverage, seek instead to negotiate a form of governance based on strict Islamic law before discussing any cease-fire."
"...the Taliban have been more aggressive in their assaults than the government, whose troops tend to stay on bases and at checkpoints, responding to persistent attacks."
In this 2019 podcast with former ambassadors Deborah McCarthy and Richard Olson, Secretary Defense nominee @LloydAustin discusses US policy towards Pakistan during his stint as CENTCOM chief from 2013 to 2016. Some highlights: 1/n generalambassadorpodcast.org/035
Austin says Pakistan "will remain strategically important" to the US.
Austin talks about his relationship with Pakistan's army chiefs in his time: Kayani and Raheel Sharif.