Epstein Secrets

o need to address the security vacuum that has allowed rogue elements to thrive in several parts of the country. Recent press reports speculate that al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is hoping to forge links with Libya's Ansar al-Sharia and other Islamist groups in Libya. At the end of November, mem

ssibility under the Mubarak regime). I Central and South Asia Afghanistan: Following a recent visit by US Secretary of Defense Panetta, President Karzai told the press that he will travel to Washington early in 2013 to discuss the possibility of US forces remaining in Afghanistan after the 2014 NATO

recent visit by US Secretary of Defense Panetta, President Karzai told the press that he will travel to Washington

e," he said. "I do not think that al-Qaeda is out of business because they lost Osama bin Laden. Not by a long shot." The second hard truth is that al-Qaeda's future is inextricably linked with that of Afghanistan and the Taliban. "Al-Qaeda is not [in Afghanistan] because we are," Crocker said. "If we dec

ongressional committees on national television; and endless, painstaking parleys with prickly, unpredictable characters such as Nouri al-Maliki and Hamid Karzai. He's 62; he tried to retire once, after Iraq, but was coaxed back into service by Obama and Petraeus after U.S. relations with Karzai deteriorated

ki and Hamid Karzai. He's 62; he tried to retire once, after Iraq, but was coaxed back into service by Obama and Petraeus after U.S. relations with Karzai deteriorated to the breaking point. But Crocker has two simple points to make. First: Wanting the war against al-Qaeda to be over doesn't mean tha

aves through the resorts in the Sinai peninsula (one of the few relatively active tourist spots in Egypt during the last three years of unrest). The al-Qaida—inspired Ansar Beit al- Maqdis took responsibility for the attack in a statement that described it as part of their "economic war against [the] regi

NDC. Central and South Asia Afghanistan: Seemingly focused on facilitating the Afghan High Peace Council's efforts at talks with the Taliban, the Karzai government has distanced itself from its US allies over the past few weeks. This was most recently exemplified by its decision to release 65 Afghan

orming an interconnected, coordinated web join the Pashtun insurgents in the tribal areas. More alarming is the nexus these groups have formed with Al Qaeda, which despite some setbacks remains deeply entrenched in Pakistani tribal areas. The threat posed by this terrorist nexus to the Pakistani state w

abad's worries have increased. The talks, which had started last year, seem to have stalled after both sides stuck to their hardline positions. The Karzai government has also established contacts with the Taliban, but no headway has so far been made as the Taliban want only to talk with the US. The qu

billion and suffering several hundred allied deaths annually — 500 Americans dead last year, thousands more injured. All this to deal with 100 or so Al Qaeda fighters now in Afghanistan; and prevent the Afghan Taliban from controlling the Pashtun Afghan homeland- which was not the reason we went there afte

ot defeat the Taliban militarily. President Hamid Karzai's corrupt government is unlikely to improve signi

ests. The current U.S. counterinsurgency strategy appears likely to fail. Washington and its allies will not defeat the Taliban militarily. President Hamid Karzai's corrupt government is unlikely to improve significantly. The Afghan National Army cannot take over combat missions from the U.S. in southern and ea

tical settlement for Afghanistan with his speech Wednesday night. With Osama bin Laden dead, Obama can claim that America's core mission of combating al-Qaeda is succeeding. He can bring some troops home and step up diplomatic negotiations with the Taliban to reach a broad peace deal by 2014. Obama's strate

ghbors for help. HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_030157 --- PAGE BREAK --- 3 America's secret contacts with the Taliban have made progress partly because President Hamid Karzai wants them to succeed and, perhaps more important, because India, Pakistan, Russia and China are also supporting the outreach process - with silent a

have made progress partly because President Hamid Karzai wants them to succeed and, perhaps more important

on treaty with Russia, the NATO intervention in Libya, the withdrawal from Iraq, ongoing trade negotiations with China, and of course, the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Overview: Obama is a much different candidate today from the senator who distinguished himself by his opposition to the "dumb

Afghanistan has achieved stability or that Hamid Karzai's government can stand on its own without U.S. as

operations raids have taken a harsh toll on al Qaeda, it may be difficult for Obama to make the case that Afghanistan has achieved stability or that Hamid Karzai's government can stand on its own without U.S. assistance. Relations with Pakistan have deteriorated significantly under Obama's tenure, particularly f

nd military officials... ISKP Claims Attack Near Hamid Karzai International Airport As Suicide Bombing [SITE In

itary officials... ISKP Claims Attack Near Hamid Karzai International Airport As Suicide Bombing [SITE In

rested In Istanbul [Turkey] [Yeni Safak — TUR] • Five suspects were arrested in Turkey on Thursday [Aug. 26] during operations against the Daesh and al- Qaeda terror groups. The suspects were seized in simultaneous raids at nine different places in seven districts of Istanbul. • From Middle East Monitor —