In this episode of Talibanology, host Tamim Asey is joined by Professor Dr. Amira Jadoon, Associate Professor at Clemson University and one of the foremost authorities on terrorism and insurgency dynamics in South and Central Asia.

Drawing from her groundbreaking book The Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan: Strategic Alliances and Rivalries (2023), Dr. Jadoon guides us through the complex and shifting landscape of jihadist militancy across the region. We delve into the rise of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), its evolving strategy, and its fierce rivalry with the Taliban, as well as the broader militant ecosystem shaping South Asia’s security future.

From battlefield tactics to propaganda wars and from local alliances to international spillover attacks this episode maps the contours of an increasingly dangerous militant maze.

Key Topics Covered:
•ISKP’s current operational strength and territorial presence in Afghanistan and beyond
•The Taliban’s intelligence and counterterrorism campaign — how effective is the GDI?
•ISKP’s ideological and organisational links with Islamic State Central
•The propaganda and narrative war between ISKP and the Taliban
•The role of regional actors, including Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian states, in shaping or responding to the ISKP-Taliban rivalry
•ISKP’s transnational operations, including attacks in Russia, Iran, and potential future theatres

Tune in for a timely, deeply analytical conversation that connects field research, strategic insight and regional complexity—only on Talibanology.