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AfPak File: The ISIS Factor In The Afghanistan Peace Process

August 14, 202043:16

In recent days, the Afghan government has agreed to free the last of 5000 Taliban prisoners, setting the stage for an intra-Afghan dialogue to begin later this month.

However, even while the Afghan government and the Taliban move closer to launching peace talks, the South Asia branch of ISIS, known as ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), has continued to stage attacks.

The latest edition of The AfPak File podcast takes stock of ISIS-K today; discusses its current capacities, and considers how it might impact a fledgling peace process with the Taliban.

Panelists include Dr. Amira Jadoon, assistant professor at the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point; Sami Mahdi, Afghanistan bureau chief for Radio Azadi, the Afghan service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; and Michael Kugelman, Asia Program deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center.

Muhammad Tahir, media manager in Washington DC for RFE/RL, serves as a moderator.

This podcast originally appeared on RFE/RL.

Moderator

Muhammad Tahir

Media Manager, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Indo-Pacific Program

The Indo-Pacific Program promotes policy debate and intellectual discussions on US interests in the Asia-Pacific as well as political, economic, security, and social issues relating to the world’s most populous and economically dynamic region.   Read more