Riccardo Valle
Riccardo Valle holds a Master’s degree in diplomacy and international relations from University of Trieste, Italy, and he is now an independent researcher focused on violent Islamism in the Af-Pak region. He tweets as @Valle_Riccardo_.
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Articles by Riccardo Valle
Abbas Betani: Mid-Level Commander Who Mediated Between Pakistani Taliban Factions Killed
Executive Summary: On May 27, Pakistani security forces conducted a raid that appears to have killed Abbas Betani, a commander in the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). While Betani was a prominent
Jabhat Ansar al-Mahdi Khorasan Emerges as Prominent Faction of Hafiz Gul Bahadur in Pakistan
Executive Summary The militant landscape of Pakistan is becoming more complex due to the emergence of several new, small, and highly capable militant groups. They are largely connected to two
Rising Anti-China Sentiment in Balochistan Threatens Increased Attacks on Chinese Interests in Pakistan
Executive Summary The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militant group in Pakistan opposes Chinese investment projects in Balochistan province, viewing China as complicit in Pakistani government oppression of their people. The
Hilal Ghazi: Jihadist Behind Pakistani Taliban’s Expansion into Punjab
On June 15, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or “Pakistani Taliban,” announced the establishment of two new “shadow provinces” in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populated province: “North Punjab” and “South Punjab.” This
Ustaz Ahmad Farooq’s Lasting Legacy in the South Asian Jihadist Ecosystem
In March, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)’s prominent Hitteen magazine published a 455-page book. It covered the life of former AQIS top ideologue Ustad Ahmad Farooq and was written
A Post-Mortem Analysis of ISKP’s Shaikh Jalaluddin
On August 16, Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) published the seventh issue of its Pashto language magazine Khurasan Ghag (Twitter/TheKhorasanDiary, August 16, 2022). Like previous releases, this one was
ISKP Challenges Indian Interests in Afghanistan by Attacking Sikh Worshippers in Kabul
On June 18, the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed an attack which targeted a Sikh Gurdwara in Karta-e-Parwan area of Kabul (Dawn, June 18). While ISKP stated there
Islamic State Khorasan Propaganda Targets New Audience with Release of Pashto Magazine Khurasan Ghag
On May 11, Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) channels on Telegram shared a new magazine produced by the group’s media wing, al-Azaim Foundation. In Pashto, the title of the
Islamic State in Khorasan Province Counters Taliban with Formidable Media and Propaganda Offensive
Since the Taliban captured Kabul and installed its new government of Afghanistan in August, Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) has been carrying out numerous attacks. ISKP has targeted both
Islamic State in Khorasan Province’s Campaign against Afghan Women
Following the Taliban’s rapid takeover of Afghanistan, local and international observers have raised concerns about the future of women in the renamed Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. While the Taliban has