A demonstration of their power. “Taliban attack Pakistan prison, free 380 prisoners,” by Ishtiaq Mahsud for the Associated Press, April 15 (thanks to all who sent this in): DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan””Taliban militants armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades battled their way into a prison in northwest Pakistan on Sunday, freeing close to 400 […]
Jihadist in Afghan police murders nine other officers
There is simply no way to screen these guys out. Islam teaches jihad against infidels and counts as enemies those who collaborate with the infidel as well. This whole mission in Afghanistan is a fool’s errand, and these kinds of incidents are going to keep happening. “Afghan police officer kills 9 comrades,” from CNN, March […]
Taliban threatens Pakistani lawmakers’ families over prospect of reopening NATO supply lines
As noted here in a 2010 story about the ISI’s “urging on” of the Taliban, “it’s all fun and games for Pakistan’s ruling elite until the jihadists who found sanctuary on the western frontier are breaking down the gates in Islamabad.” “Taliban warn Pakistan lawmakers over NATO supplies,” by Ishtiaq Mahsud for the Associated Press, […]
Taliban detainees at Guantanamo agree to be transferred to Qatar
These detainees are not bit players; some are reportedly considered “high risk.” Left unsaid in this report is what the U.S. gets out of it. It sounds as much as ever as if Washington is willing to trade risky American actions to see the Taliban to say the right things. “Taliban Guantanamo detainees agree to […]
Taliban’s response to Obama’s apology: “Kill them, beat them, take them as prisoners and teach them such a lesson that they never summon the courage to abuse the Holy Qur’an again”
Responding to the apology just as I predicted they would: with contempt for its weakness and a renewed aggressiveness. “Taliban’s Response to Obama’s Apology: ‘Kill Them, Beat Them, Take Them as Prisoners,’” by Patrick Goodenough for CNS News, February 24 (thanks to Pamela Geller): (CNSNews.com) — In the wake of President Barack Obama sending a […]
Taliban: Al-Qaeda “operates in Afghanistan under the flag of the Islamic Emirate”
This would tend to throw a monkey wrench in the works for attempts at peace negotiations with the Taliban. “Al Qaeda ‘operates in Afghanistan under the flag of the Islamic Emirate’: Taliban spokesman,” by Bill Roggio for the Long War Journal, February 18: A Taliban spokesman who identified himself as an “Authorized Correspondent by the […]
Afghanistan: Two 10-year-old suicide bombers arrested… again
What they say echoes what other would-be child suicide bombers say they were told: “They told us the bombs would not kill us, only the Americans would die and you can come back to us.” What intrepid, manly mujahedin, lying to children to send them to their deaths. “Police arrest two Afghan boys for suicide […]
Afghanistan: Civilian casualties soar from improved jihadist bombs, coordinated suicide attacks
Where’s the outrage? Imagine if this effort and ingenuity had been put toward something constructive over the past 10 years. But you don’t get 72 virgins for building roads and sewers. “Civilian deaths in Afghanistan at highest level in a decade,” by Ben Farmer for the Telegraph, February 4: The number of civilians killed in […]
U.S. confirms mulling Taliban prisoner release as “incentive” for peace talks
Just days ago, it had sounded like this plan had faltered when the Taliban refused to agree to a cease-fire before starting talks. These are no small fish, either; some are prominent detainees considered “high-risk.” It is less clear from this report whether their release would be part of a quid-pro-quo exchange of actions for […]
Spencer: Taliban: New and Improved?
In FrontPage this morning, I discuss the Taliban’s recent efforts to present a kinder, gentler face to the West: Apparently the Taliban are softening, even allowing girls to get an education. Clearly this heralds an opening to the West, a heady indication that their most repressive days are past them, and that soon they will […]