The Taliban’s Kunduz offensive, and the aftermath.
A Taliban Prize, Won in a Few Hours After Years of Strategy
Taking Hold in Kunduz, Afghanistan, New Taliban Echoed the Old
For Afghans in Kunduz, Taliban Assault Is Just the Latest Affront
In this country, we talk about a figurative war on women; in Afghanistan there’s nothing figurative about it.
Taliban Waged a Calculated Campaign Against Women in Kunduz
Fear of Taliban Drives Women Out of Kunduz
An expanded reach.
Taliban’s New Leader Strengthens His Hold With Intrigue and Battlefield Victory
After Kunduz, Taliban is now targeting other Afghan cities
Afghan Taliban’s Reach Is Widest Since 2001, UN Says
Taliban Threats to Afghan Journalists Show Shift in Tactics
All politics is local/regional/global:
Afghan Plan to Expand Militia Raises Abuse Concerns
Ahmadi – Kunduz and the Many Failures in Afghanistan
Zakaria – The key to solving the puzzle of Afghanistan is Pakistan
Obama outlines plan to keep 5,500 troops in Afghanistan
I have to wonder about the Kunduz gambit – the Taliban left after something like 15 days, with, apparently, no small amount of loot. Was it just to prove they could (the new leader theory, playing to his internal audience), was it to get rid of certain activists (read: female), or was it part of a new and larger strategy?
And if things weren’t complicated enough…
Afghan ISIS Branch Makes Inroads in Battle Against Taliban
The Islamic State is making these Afghans long for the Taliban
Dinosaur Debate 