Taliban

Global News Blog
What's the Quetta Shura Taliban and why does it matter?

Pakistani officials arrested half the Afghan Taliban leadership – 7 of 15 members of the Quetta Shura Taliban - including the Taliban commander in charge of stopping the US troop surge in southern Afghanistan. What is the Quetta Shura and why might these arrests be critical to the war in Afghanistan?
Half of Afghanistan Taliban leadership arrested in Pakistan

Pakistan officials told the Monitor they have arrested nearly half – 7 of 15 – members of the Afghan Taliban's senior leadership council in recent days, including the Taliban head of military operations in Afghanistan.
Terrorism & Security
Pakistan captures another top Afghan Taliban leader, Mullah Abdul Kabir

If reports are true, Pakistan's capture of Mullah Abdul Kabir would be fifth Afghan Taliban leader seized in recent weeks.
Pakistan arrests more Afghan Taliban. Why the about-face?

After years of deflecting US pressure to rein in the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan has arrested in rapid succession the group's No. 2 Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, two shadow provincial governors, and up to nine Al Qaeda-linked militants.
After Taliban Baradar arrest, does Bin Laden matter?

Pakistan announced the arrest of the most senior Afghanistan Taliban commander since 2001, Taliban number 2 Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. With growing intelligence cooperation between the US and Pakistan, could Osama bin Laden be next?
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar: Are other Taliban leaders hiding in Karachi?

The No. 2 Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Omar was captured in Karachi, where many Pakistani militants have been reported to be hiding. Police say there are 150 Taliban fighters in the city now.
Afghanistan war: US tries to undercut Taliban at tribal level

US and Afghan officials try to persuade some of the 350 tribal leaders in Afghanistan to cooperate against the Taliban. It's not an easy task.
Why Karzai needs Saudi Arabia for Taliban talks

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is visiting Saudi Arabia to seek help convincing the Taliban to join peace talks. Riyadh would lend credibility to the effort, but is wary of getting involved.
Who’s who in the Pakistan Taliban

New reports surfaced Sunday that Pakistan Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud died after a US drone attack Jan. 14. A look at other senior figures in the group.
To fight deadliest Taliban threat in Afghanistan, US troops go low-tech

To thwart militants in Afghanistan from planting roadside bombs, or IEDs, US soldiers are pleading with locals to alert them to threats. Air surveillance can be too imprecise and approval for airstrikes too slow in coming.
Karzai reaches out to Taliban at Afghanistan conference

A London conference on the future of Afghanistan opened Thursday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai extending an olive branch to the Taliban and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown declaring a "decisive" moment.
What's behind latest Taliban attack on Kabul?

The latest Taliban attack on Kabul comes amid new Afghanistan government efforts to lure militants away from the insurgency.
Why Pakistan may be more willing to help US target Taliban than it appears

A briefing on what the US wants from Pakistan – and why Pakistan might be more willing than it publicly indicates to help the US tackle the Afghan Taliban hiding in Pakistan.
Global News Blog
Taliban to Germany: Leave Afghanistan or lose Oktoberfest

The insurgents' threat to bomb the famous festival is apparently meant to weaken Germany's resolve for the fight in Afghanistan. It follows similar warnings issued by the Taliban and Al Qaeda ahead of Sunday's elections.
Global News Blog
A rare attack on Bagram Air Field

Rockets struck Bagram Air Field north of Kabul, Afghanistan, in the early hours of Sunday morning, killing two US soldiers and injuring six. Normally, Bagram is a serene oasis of Americana.
Why the Taliban won't take over Pakistan

For reasons of geography, ethnicity, military inferiority, and ancient rivalries, they represent neither the immediate threat that is often portrayed nor the inevitable victors that the West fears.
Pakistan's Taliban rising? Ask the women.

In a sign of growing militancy, threats against females are swelling in cosmopolitan Karachi.
Outrage over Taliban flogging of Pakistani girl could threaten peace deal

A video of a girl being lashed 34 times for allegedly being seen with a man who was not her husband has prompted a chorus of condemnations led by President Asif Ali Zardari.
Pakistan tested by battles with Al Qaeda, Taliban

The US pursuit of Al Qaeda with airstrikes complicates Pakistan's struggle against the Taliban, who launched their largest attack in months over the weekend.
Bid to split Taliban, Al Qaeda

In Afghanistan, US and NATO reassess their strategy amid concerns that their efforts are failing.
Terrorism & Security
CIA blames Al Qaeda, Taliban for Bhutto assassination

Director of CIA says "no reason" to doubt Islamist group's responsibility, echoing findings of Scotland Yard.