NEW DELHI: It is widely acknowledged that the Taliban are in control in Kabul, but does somebody else or group control the Taliban? Jeff Smith, Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, argues that the terrorist Haqqani Network has strong influence over the Taliban because its leader Sirajuddin Haqqani is deputy emir of the Taliban and is chief of its military operations.
In this conversation on Stratnewsglobal, he warns that Sirajuddin is committed to global jihad and has close ties to AL Qaida and the Islamic State. He is also mediating between Pakistan and the Tehreeh e Taliban. Afghanistan could well re-emerge as the cockpit of renewed international terrorism.
Tune in for more in this conversation with Jeff Smith.
