Today, Explained ISIS-K
Aug 27, 2021
Dan Byman, a terrorism and counterterrorism expert from Georgetown University, dives into the complex resurgence of ISIS-K in Afghanistan. He discusses how this extremist group finds the Taliban insufficiently extreme and the implications of their recent violence. The conversation sheds light on power struggles within Afghanistan, detailing the ongoing tensions between ISIS-K and the Taliban, and what that means for global security. Byman also examines the U.S. strategies post-withdrawal and the troubling dynamics in the region.
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ISIS-K Origins
- ISIS-K, a branch of the Islamic State, emerged after the U.S. invasion of Iraq and during the Syrian Civil War.
- It gained global notoriety in 2014 through a series of beheadings and declared a caliphate in Iraq and Syria.
Khorasan's Significance
- ISIS-K's name uses the word "Khorasan", referencing a historical region encompassing Central Asia, India, and Pakistan.
- Though ISIS-K doesn't control this vast area, their name signifies a broader ambition beyond Afghanistan.
ISIS-K vs. Taliban
- ISIS-K views the Taliban as insufficiently extreme, criticizing their negotiations and governance.
- This rivalry is not solely ideological but also stems from power struggles and competition.