Check out my new article for War on the Rocks: “A Globally Integrated Islamic State”

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The Islamic State today looks different than it did five years ago and is far more integrated now as an organization amongst its global network than al-Qaeda ever was. It has been 10 years since the Islamic State announced itself as a caliphate and more than five years since it lost its last vestige of territory in Syria. However, with the Islamic State back in the news due to an increasing external operations capacity (with attacks in IranTurkey, and Russia this year as well as numerous broken up plots in Europe), there is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the group operates today. In many ways, it is either incorrectly viewed through the lens of how al-Qaeda operates (a decentralized branch network), since it had previously been a part of al-Qaeda’s global network, or based on how the Islamic State operated when it was at its prior zenith when it controlled territory in Iraq and Syria. It is also likely why some within the U.S. government may have misinterpreted signals intelligence by pushing the idea that the Islamic State leader targeted in Somalia at the end of May, Abd al Qadir Mumin, became the group’s caliph. These changes in the past five years are crucial for policymakers to understand because the way the threat presents itself today will look different from how policymakers dealt with the issue last decade when much of the focus was on the Islamic State’s territorial control in Iraq and Syria.

The most important body for understanding the Islamic State today is its General Directorate of Provinces, which has previously been based in Syria, but new information suggests that at least at the highest levels of it might now have centrality in Somalia. When one understands that structure, the Islamic State’s actions globally make more sense. It is also why we see far more interaction and connection between its various wilayat (provinces) today than in the past. In many ways, the key aspects that animate the Islamic State as an organization (governance, foreign fighter mobilization, and external operations) remain, they have just moved from primarily being based out of or controlled by its location of origin in Iraq and Syria to being spread across its global provincial network. Its aims remain the same, even if the organization has adapted to a changed environment. It is also why the challenge from the Islamic State today is different from the past and why it is in some ways also more resilient now to pressure than before.

This makes the challenge of the Islamic State more difficult from a security perspective than in the past when there was the ability to primarily zero-in on its efforts in Iraq and Syria. Today, only focusing on Iraq and Syria or any other province independent of understanding its connections to other parts of the group’s global network will lead to missing crucial details due to expediency. This is why, although it is understandable that the United States has shifted a lot of its manpower and budgeting to more existential and larger problem-sets such as China and Russia, it would be a mistake to neglect the Islamic State as a continuing, but evolving security challenge. Therefore, it is still useful to continue to have and add more funded government positions across different agencies and departments to focus on tracking this threat to better get ahead of the next surprise. Otherwise, mistakes of misinterpretation will be made as in the past.

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New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: “Regarding the Dispute Between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan”

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Recently tensions have arisen between our neighboring country Tajikistan and Islamic country Kyrgyzstan pushing both countries to the brink of war.

The Islamic Emirate calls on both Islamic and brotherly countries to resolve their disputes through dialogue.

We have the most extensive experience about the destruction of war. Starting a war may perhaps seem easy, but the practical course of war and ensuing catastrophe and damages far outweigh the losses incurred by both sides in the event of an understanding.

Therefore, and on the basis of our own experiences, we call on the leaders of both countries to take into account the long-term interests, peace and security of their respective nations and find a sensible and reasonable solution to the dispute through dialogue and understanding. Such will prove beneficial for both countries and nations, Allah willing.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

25/10/1442 Hijri Lunar

16/03/1400 Hijri Solar                   05/06/2021 Gregorian

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Tajikistan Cycling Tour Attack

New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's Zabīh Allah Mujāhid: "The Mujahidin Have No Problem With Anyone On the Tajikistan Border"

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A Russian news outlet Sputnik published a report a while back stating that the Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate have clashed with Tajikistan border forces in the country’s northern Kunduz province.
Our report in this regard – following an investigation – revealed that about 15 days ago, a group of smugglers tried to move banned substances into Tajikistan border via Kunduz but were engaged by Tajik border troops.
This incident has no ties with the Islamic Emirate and neither are the Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate allowed to create problems with border troops of neighboring countries. We strongly reject these reports delivered by whatever source and assure all our neighboring countries that the Islamic Emirate does not have any intention of harming its neighboring nations.
However the border area between Kunduz and Tajikistan is very dense and can be misused by smugglers. The Islamic Emirate will try its utmost to fulfill its obligation in preventing illegal trafficking in the area.
Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Zabihullah Mujahid
28/02/1438 Hijri Lunar
08/09/1395 Hijri Solar                    28/11/2016 Gregorian

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New statement from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Zabīhullah Mujāhid: "Remarks Regarding the Transfer of 4 Border Guards to Tajikistan"


Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate had detained 4 border guards of the neighboring country of Tajikistan that had crossed over the border in the month of September 2014.
The Islamic Emirate, due to good neighborly relations, Islamic brotherhood with the people of Tajikistan and for strengthening future relations, last week handed over the 4 border guards in good health to the neighboring country of Tajikistan with intermediation by the country of Qatar without receiving anything in exchange.
This step by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan based upon Islamic compassion and human empathy shows that the Islamic Emirate wants good relations with the world especially its neighboring countries. And as its Islamic and national responsibility it strives to establish relations with its neighbors and countries of the world which are beneficial for Islam and the country.
Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Zabihullah Mujahid
28/08/1436 Hijri Lunar
25/03/1394 Hijri Solar                    15/06/2015 Gregorian
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