Waliullah Rahmani
Waliullah Rahmani is a security and political affairs expert specializing in terrorism, insurgency, Afghanistan-Pakistan affairs and Islamic movements. He has led a think-tank in Kabul and advised national and international organizations on regional security and political trends of South Asia and Middle East
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Articles by Waliullah Rahmani
The Taliban’s ‘Double Act’: Will the New Leadership Strategy End Infighting in the Group?
On September 8, 2016, the recently appointed Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada released his Eid al-Adha message. While much of the language is familiar – he terms the Islamic Republic
BRIEFS
HOUTHIS CONTINUE TO CONSOLIDATE CONTROL IN YEMEN James Brandon During the last fortnight, Yemen’s Houthi movement has continued to expand and consolidate its control over the country’s central and western
Taliban Devise New Strategy in Afghanistan: Territorial Control and War on Afghan Intelligence Headquarters
On September 10, 2014, Kunduz province’s police chief, Ghulam Mustafa Mohseni, announced that a longtime Taliban stronghold, the Chahar Dara district of northern Afghanistan, had been cleared of insurgents. Mohseni
Afghanistan Prepares for the American Surge
Having already made clear his intention to commit 30,000 new American troops to the war in Afghanistan, Barack Obama's inauguration was seen by many in Afghanistan as an opportunity to
Has al-Qaeda Picked a Leader for Operations in China?
Since al-Qaeda and the Taliban leadership shifted their operational bases from Afghanistan to Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), many new groups claiming to be linked to al-Qaeda have emerged. On
Jalaluddin Haqqani Challenges Mullah Omar’s Leadership of the Taliban
Since the reemergence of the insurgency in 2002, Afghanistan has witnessed a largely united insurgent front under the banner of the Taliban. To date there have been few records of
Rotation of Coalition Forces Brings New Hope to Helmand Province
With the onset of a wide operation against the Taliban in Garmsir district of Helmand province, once again the lawless Helmand province has become the focus of national and international
Taliban Exploit Local Religious Sentiment to Target Dutch and Danish Troops
Recent statements from Taliban spokesmen offer signs of massive changes in the insurgency at the beginning of the new Hijri (Islamic) year, when the cold weather passes and the Taliban
Farah Province: The New Focus of the Taliban Insurgency
With the war in Afghanistan steadily spreading to the north and east of the country, a new front for the Taliban insurgency has opened in the previously secure western regions.
Al-Qaeda Uses Jaish al-Mahdi to Gain Control over Helmand Province
A movement called Jaish al-Mahdi (The Army of the Mahdi) has emerged in Afghanistan. The leader of Afghanistan's Jaish al-Mahdi is Abu Haris, an Arab commander who fought during the
Taliban Commander Mansoor Dadullah Follows his Brother’s Footsteps
When five senior Taliban members were released from prison as part of a hostage exchange with Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo, Mansoor Dadullah's name entered the media debate because he was
Iran’s Decision to Expel Refugees May Destabilize Western Afghanistan
On May 2, the Iranian Interior Ministry announced that Tehran had expelled 50,000 Afghan refugees during the previous 10 days, in a move reportedly aimed at repatriating one million unregistered
Afghanistan’s Veteran Jihadi Leader: An Interview with Qazi Mohammad Amin Waqad
Qazi Mohammad Amin Waqad is a former member of the Hizb-e-Islami leadership council, a party led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Waqad was one of three key anti-Soviet leaders of the mujahideen
Combating the Ideology of Suicide Terrorism in Afghanistan
Although there was no record of Afghan suicide attacks during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the pursuant civil war, suicide attacks in the country have steadily increased since the
Afghan Authorities Apprehend Leaders of Kabul Suicide Cell
The surge of suicide attacks in Kabul is causing concern among Afghan officials and international peacekeeping forces. One month ago, for instance, a coalition spokesperson in Kabul announced that a
NATO Struggles to Maintain Control of Southern Afghanistan
On July 31, NATO forces assumed official command of Afghanistan's six southern provinces from U.S.-led coalition forces. In the days since this change in leadership, approximately 15 NATO soldiers have
The Taliban’s Chief of Kabul Suicide Operations Arrested
Recent unrest, bloody explosions and a spate of bomb attacks in Kabul raised fears that the Taliban, which has intensified attacks in southern and eastern Afghanistan, were expanding their campaign
Amanullah Guzar Attempts to Maintain Stability in Kabul
It was just one week after the series of deadly explosions in Kabul that newly appointed Kabul police chief Amanullah Guzar announced that his forces had arrested seven people responsible
Domestic Factors Driving the Taliban Insurgency
Four years after the fall of the Taliban, insurgent violence has been steadily increasing across Afghanistan. This new wave of violence comes amidst Kabul's attempted peace process, and points to
Kandahar Province and the New Wave of Violence
The heavy fighting that took place in the Sangsar area of Kandahar province on April 14 and 15 is indicative of the critical security situation in this most strategic region