Paper - Pakistani Unconventional Warfare Against Afghanistan (Douglas Livermore)

Map of Pakistan

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is steadily decreasing its troop levels in Afghanistan as the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) become more capable. During the 2013 fighting season the ANSF held its own although it suffered terrible casualties. However, the Taliban are not defeated and while they did not gain much territory in 2013 they certainly did not lose much territory. The Taliban enjoy significant support (whether by coercion or other means in the south and parts of the east). In addition, the sanctuaries provided in Pakistan ensure the long-term survival of the insurgents.  An interesting paper has been published that provides us with a valuable insight to the support that the Taliban enjoy. The paper looks at the Taliban and the support provided by the government of Pakistan from an unconventional warfare perspective. Read "Pakistani Unconventional Warfare Against Afghanistan: A Case Study of the Taliban as an Unconventional Warfare Proxy Force", Small Wars Journal, February 4, 2014 by Douglas A. Livermore.