- New Taliban leader moves to repair old fractures
- Taliban’s new commando force tests Afghan army’s strength
- Taliban, ISIS forge informal alliance in eastern Afghanistan
On Thursday, Shahidur Rahman, deputy inspector general of the Dhaka police, confirmed that both were in custody and had been arrested the previous night under a law that allows such action without a warrant. The police previously said the two were suspected of involvement in the attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery. – New York Times
Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan have joined China in a military alliance aimed at countering Islamist militancy, officials said. – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Pakistan's prime minister said on Friday his government is using "formal and informal channels" to seek the return of seven passengers of a crashed helicopter Pakistani helicopter who were captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. - Reuters
India
Sadanand Dhume writes: As India continues to integrate itself into the global economy, the search for authentic cultural roots behind the renaming spree is unlikely to subside. But a wise political class will look for a more sensible way to accommodate nativist urges than by simply forcing English speakers to use the same name as the locals. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Derek Scissors writes: The importance of ultimately successful implementation goes beyond the GST. The Modi government finally has its centerpiece reform. If it fizzles out over time in a morass of countervailing actions, Modi’s now sky-high credibility will fade. If GST is blamed for causing inflation or otherwise seen as unsuccessful, India’s desire for reforms to shrink the state and permit greater labor market flexibility will fade. – AEI Ideas
The Taliban’s new leader is wooing back some disaffected members as the insurgency wages a new offensive in strategic Helmand province, say those close to the group, defying U.S. and Afghan government efforts to undermine it. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
[Karzai] flatly denies that he’s trying to harm the government. But then there’s the hint of a wry smile: “If there are some people running faster, those who are falling behind should not complain.” Following Mr. Karzai through days of meetings — dozens of discussions, and interviews on and off camera — it becomes clear that he is still operating like a man in power. – New York Times
Taliban militants attacked a group of 12 American and European tourists escorted by an Afghan army convoy in western Herat province Thursday, leaving at least seven people wounded as the insurgents step up nationwide attacks. - AFP
A convoy of a dozen foreign tourists including three Americans was ambushed and attacked by Taliban militants Thursday in a remote region of western Afghanistan, leaving at least six people injured, Afghan officials said. – Washington Post
After more than a year of gridlock, the upper house of India’s parliament approved a contentious overhaul of the country’s convoluted tax system, an important step in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign to modernize Asia’s No. 3 economy. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
The Pentagon has withheld $300 million in military assistance to Pakistan, U.S. officials said Wednesday, a potential blow to U.S.-Pakistani ties and a sign of ongoing frustration with Islamabad for not acting against militants fueling violence in Afghanistan. – Washington Post
The United States has added the Pakistani militant group Jamaat-ur-Ahrar to its list of global terrorists, triggering sanctions against a faction that has staged multiple attacks on civilians, religious minorities and soldiers. - Reuters
Distributing the alias of a dead jihadi in an all-points bulletin is just one illustration of how Bangladesh authorities have failed to confront the international links of radical Islamist groups in the country. Police and government officials here continue to insist they are facing a home-grown threat -- a "grave error," according to regional experts on militant groups. - Reuters