By Touqir Hussain, The National Interest: “Problems between the two countries are long-standing, and neither occupies the moral high ground in the eyes of the other: the United States regards Pakistan as a two-faced ally, while Pakistanis have long dwelled on the recurring pattern of America’s betrayal and abandonment.”
(The Associated Press) In fits and starts, for nearly a decade, the U.S. has talked about and struggled to make progress on building an Afghan military that can take control of its own nation’s security and lay the groundwork for a stable government.
(Military Times) The United States and Saudi Arabia are discussing how they could support safe havens for moderate Taliban leaders who seek to negotiate a reconciliation with the Afghan government, Pentagon spokesman Dana White said Thursday.
US will have role in Afghan reconciliation with Taliban
(The Associated Press) The U.S. has a role to play in setting the conditions for members of the Taliban to lay down their weapons and move back into Afghanistan’s society, the top U.S. commander for the war said Thursday.
By Daniel Markey, The Cipher Brief: “After a short trip to Pakistan last week, I return to Washington convinced that the Trump administration’s new coercive approach toward Islamabad is working, at least in the narrow sense that it has grabbed the attention of Pakistani decision-makers and forced them to take notice of U.S. demands.”
(Long War Journal) A Pentagon spokesman said that the US military will not conduct hot pursuit of Taliban and allied jihadist fighters from Afghanistan into Pakistan.
(The Associated Press) The top U.S. military officer visited Afghanistan on Monday to evaluate the military campaign and ensure new American advisory teams and an upgraded Afghan Air Force are on target as the next fighting season with the Taliban looms.
Nicholson: US Planning Religious, Diplomatic, Military and Social Pressure on Taliban
(Voice of America) The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan said a combination of religious, social, diplomatic and military pressure will be applied to the Taliban this year to force them to start negotiating for peace in the war-torn country.
Crown Prince Seeks to Solidify Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Iran Stance With U.S.
(Wall Street Journal) Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to bring to Washington the brash foreign policy that has shaped Saudi Arabia’s more muscular stance in the Middle East to counter archenemy Iran.
US forces conducted nine strikes in Somalia this year, all of which have targeted al Qaeda's affiliate in the country.
Islamic State suicide bomber strikes near shrine in Afghan capital
The Islamic State's Khorasan branch quickly claimed responsibility for an attack near a shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan earlier today. The Sunni jihadists regularly target Shiite civilians in Afghanistan and elsewhere.