On 10 March 2023, Mantraya published the analysis "Taliban Incapacity and the growing threat of Islamic State-Khorasan Province" co-authored by NESA Center alumna Dr. Shanthie Mariet D'Souza and Bibhu Prasad Routray. The article discusses the potential threat posed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) to the security of South Asia.

ABSTRACT

In the past two years, the Islamic State’s Khorasan Province in Afghanistan has increased its cadre strength from 3000 to 6000. Taking advantage of the ungoverned spaces and the Taliban’s inability to contain its growth, the group continues to gain strength. The Taliban rely on raids and killings of odd IS-KP cadres, but this hasn’t done much to dent the terror group’s expansion into almost all provinces of Afghanistan. Taliban’s incapacity and denial of the emerging threat are serious problems, not just for Afghanistan’s peace and stability, but for the entire region. What are the reasons behind the expansion of IS-KP in Afghanistan? Does the ungoverned space in Afghanistan provide it with the opportunity to expand its presence? What are the implications of the growth of IS-KP for the region and world at large? This article attempts to address these crucial questions.

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