INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on Tuesday issued a report by the Senior Study Group on Counterterrorism in Afghanistan and
Pakistan and highlighted the urgent need to recalibrate the US counterterrorism strategy amid growing strategic competition with China and
the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.The USIP report argues that counterterrorism should not be perceived as a distraction from
strategic competition but rather as a crucial component in protecting the strategic agenda.Terrorist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan
still possess the intent and growing capability to target the US and its interests, the report noted, adding that a successful terrorist
attack would not only result in tragic loss of lives but also divert resources and attention from strategic competition, undermining
America&s credibility and alliances.In addition, the report stated terrorist attacks originating from the region could spark dangerous
regional crises, particularly between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed states.It also stated that the US withdrawal from Afghanistan
has emboldened terrorist groups, providing them with opportunities to regroup and collaborate.ISIS-K (Daesh), for instance, presents a
growing threat with a reach beyond the immediate region, while the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has re-emerged as a significant regional
security threat, the report read.The USIP study group meanwhile suggested the Islamic Emirate need to be pressurized &to mitigate terrorist
threats while maintaining communication channels for counterterrorism exchanges rather than adopting a cooperative approach with open-ended
incentives or a pressure campaign that isolates the Taliban (IEA) entirely.&The report also suggests increasing military and intelligence
resources dedicated to counterterrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan
This includes improving intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and expanding the US Department of State&s Rewards
for Justice program.The report also emphasizes the need for greater transparency in legal authorities for counterterrorism operations,
ensuring actions are justified and minimizing civilian harm
This involves targeting terrorist groups planning attacks against the US and employing cyber operations to disrupt their
communications.Another suggestion was the need for enhanced counterterrorism-specific security assistance and intelligence to Pakistan.This
assistance aims to &reduce the TTP&s threat as well as to obtain Pakistani assistance on top US counterterrorism concerns, secure long-term
airspace access for operations in Afghanistan, and leverage reliable access in Pakistan in the event of a terrorist attack contingency.&The
report also highlights the importance of improving preparedness for terrorist attacks in the US homeland and abroad, especially in South
This includes enhancing intelligence collection and analysis, providing travel warnings, and securing emergency military operations bases in
Central Asia and Pakistan.The post US think tank calls for revised counterterrorism strategy amid growing concerns first appeared on Ariana
