Archive for August, 2020

Disengagement and Reconciliation in Conflict-Affected Settings

Even in brutal and desperate conflict settings, it is possible for people to abandon violence and leave violent groups. Peacebuilders know this well—yet terrorism and counterterrorism policies and practices have often neglected practical ways to address participants in violent extremism and failed to provide them opportunities to reject violence. This report examines how peacebuilding tools can help transform the individual […]

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One Year Since Their State Was Split Up, Kashmiris’ Lives Remain in Limbo

One year since the Modi government’s move, the region remains cut off from the world with no sign of promised improvements.

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Fresh Afghan Violence Kills 34 Combatants, Civilians

Officials in Afghanistan say clashes between security forces and the Taliban insurgency, and a roadside bomb blast have killed about three dozen people, including civilians.

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Trump Says U.S. Would Retaliate if Bounties on U.S. Troops Were True

President Donald Trump on Thursday vowed to retaliate if other countries were found to have offered bounties for attacks on U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but he gave no indication whether his stance toward U.S. intelligence reports outlining the bounties had changed.

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Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (TTPJA) and Hizb-ul-Ahrar (HuA) Swear Allegiance To Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Emir, Abu Mansoor Asim, On Migration & Jihad and Announed They Would Abide By Shariah & Principles of TTP

The poster on left represents Jamaat-ul-Ahrar Omar Khalid Khorasani and Hizb-ul-Ahrar emir Omar Khorasani swearing allegiance to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Emir, Abu Mansoor Asim. It is unclear if the bayah are going to impact Tehreek-e-Taliban Islami Pakistan (TTP) operations. TTPJA has been cooperating with TTP since 2018, the announcement seems more of a formalization; HuA has traditionally operated under TTP […]

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Six killed in Kashmir in one of deadliest days since autonomy revoked

Four Indian security forces and two militants were killed in related incidents in Kashmir on Monday, in one of the deadliest days in the disputed Muslim-majority region since its autonomy was ended last year.

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Afghans halt prisoner release, delaying talks with Taliban

The Afghan government said Monday it would not release the last 320 Taliban prisoners it is holding until the insurgents free more captured soldiers, defying a traditional council held last week and further delaying intra-Afghan talks sought by the United States.

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Pakistan Taliban reunite with two splinter groups as army hails battle success

The Pakistani Taliban have brought two splinter groups back into their fold, they announced in a statement, days after the army said anti-militant operations nationwide had brought “hard-earned success”.

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Taliban refuses to negotiate with ‘Kabul administration’ it does not recognize as legitimate

Even after the Afghan government released nearly 5,000 Taliban prisoners to grease the skids ahead of negotiations with the jihadist group, the Taliban explicitly stated that it will not conduct talks directly with the Afghan government because it “does not recognize the Kabul administration as a government.”

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Pakistani Taliban splinter factions officially rejoin group

The Pakistani Taliban announced today that two splinter factions, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) and Hizb-ul-Ahrar (HuA), have rejoined the organization. The group trumpeted the reunification in a statement released on its official media sites.

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