MUST READ: SOUTH WAZIRISTAN'S MAULVI NAZIR: THE NEW FACE OF THE TALIBAN

South Waziristan’s Maulvi Nazir: The New Face of the Taliban
By Hassan Abbas

Pakistan is experimenting with the Taliban yet again. The primary focus of the effort is to de-link the Taliban from al-Qaeda and bring them back into the Pakistani sphere of influence. Uzbek militants have been the first “casualty” of this re-alignment. Potentially, remaining Arab militants will be next. Tribal forces in South Waziristan under the leadership of Maulvi Nazir are at the forefront of this “movement.” Extremist notions of religion remain their bread and butter, but new political objectives also guide their activities on the ground. This, in short, defines the neo-Taliban phenomenon. It is critical to understand the background, motivations and alliances of Maulvi Nazir to fully comprehend what is transpiring in the region.

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Pertinent Links:

1) South Waziristan’s Maulvi Nazir: The New Face of the Taliban