Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) – Threats to the Regional Security Environment and Challenges for the Taliban

Abstract

The paper deals with the security environment created after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. It discusses the threats posed to the country after the Taliban came to power and the prospects for their escalation, describes the comparative analysis of the two terrorist organizations, the ideological differences, goals, and interests. The paper presents the characteristics of tactical changes in terrorist organizations and the peculiarities of the strategy, analyzes the prospects for exporting extremism from Afghanistan to Central Asia and the potential threats to the South Caucasus region, and provides a theoretical, scientific understanding of the issue.

The paper discusses the challenges and threats that the Taliban and the region, in general, are facing in the background of the growth of the influence of the “Islamic State” and reviews the Taliban’s confrontation with the Islamic State after gaining power in Afghanistan. Moreover, the article presents the prospects of maintaining domestic political influence by the Taliban. The main task is to assess the threats correctly. The question is, to what extent will the Taliban be able to resist the “Islamic State of Khorasan Province” after its political reincarnation?

In order to achieve the set goals, the paper is based on articles and opinions of experts and researchers in the field. The reports from research organizations focused on the Middle East have been used to complete the work. The main structure is built on the analysis of the materials mentioned above. For statistical information, are provided annual reports published by bodies of international organizations. Analytical studies are used in the discussion of strategies of terrorist organizations. In order to get more detailed information about a number of issues, the author of the paper consulted with the active officers of the Georgian Defense Forces, who participated in peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and have practical experience in fighting and confronting both terrorist organizations.

As for the compatibility of the research issue with the theories of international relations –  the paper is based on the approaches established in academic circles. To ensure the accuracy and objectivity of the article and to avoid changes in the content during the translation, Eastern original sources were used to obtain information about the leaders of the terrorist organization, their addresses, or documentary material.