Ex-U.S. Army Officer Warns of Risks in Afghan Anti-Taliban Groups’ Ties to Pakistan
Will Silber, a former U.S. Army officer, has warned about the uncertain consequences of anti-Taliban factions drawing closer to Islamabad. In his latest analysis, he stressed that Islamabad is likely to use this connection to advance its own security objectives.
According to Silber, Pakistan may force the Taliban to rein in the activities of groups it considers a threat to its security by increasing military pressure on the Taliban from its opponents. In that case, Islamabad could reduce its support for anti-Taliban factions and improve its relations with the Taliban.
The assessment came after the publication of a New York Times report about meetings between Pakistani military and intelligence officials and leaders of anti-Taliban groups. Silber also warned that the anti-Taliban groups’ reliance on Pakistani assistance could fuel fierce competition among them for military resources and undermine public trust in them.
He added that this dependence would likely make it difficult for the groups to criticize Pakistan’s attacks on various parts of Afghanistan and civilian casualties. Pakistan’s relations with the Taliban administration, once close, are now facing serious disputes because of the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and border insecurity between the two sides.
