Islamic State poses limited threat to Afghan security

Subject

Islamic State threat in Afghanistan.

Significance

Since early 2016, the Islamic State group (ISG) in Afghanistan and Pakistan -- or the Islamic State Khorasan Province, in its own terminology -- has suffered further significant setbacks. After early footholds in most Afghan provinces were suppressed by the Taliban in 2015, the ISG lost more territory and -- although this is unconfirmed by the group -- some of its leaders.

Impacts

• The ISG is on the defensive and still a fringe force in Afghanistan.
• The Taliban are unlikely to join peace talks this year.
• Changes to Washington's Afghan policy await the next US president.