US Needs Relationship with Both India and Pakistan to Counter ISIS-Khorasan Threat

Strategic Insights -

The US military's efforts to combat the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) require a relationship with both India and Pakistan, the top American general in charge of the US Central Command has said. According to General Michael Kurilla, the Pakistani military and army chief, Asim Munir, play a crucial role in combating ISIS-Khorasan, which is based in Afghanistan. Kurilla emphasized that having a relationship with Pakistan and India is not a "binary switch" and that the US should consider the "merits of the relationship" for its positive aspects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US Central Command chief, General Michael Kurilla, described Pakistan as a "phenomenal partner" in counter-terrorism.
  • The Pakistani military and army chief, Asim Munir, are playing a key role in combating ISIS-Khorasan in Afghanistan.
  • The US needs to maintain relationships with both India and Pakistan to effectively counter the ISIS-Khorasan threat.
  • ISIS-K is one of the most active terrorist groups involved in "external plots globally", including against the US homeland.
  • The Afghan Taliban have pushed many of the ISIS-K fighters into tribal areas on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
  • The US Central Command has an area of responsibility that covers 21 countries in West, Central and South Asia, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
  • The US Indo-Pacific Command is responsible for military relations with India.

Statistics:

  • 21 countries are covered by the US Central Command's area of responsibility.
  • ISIS-K is one of the most active terrorist groups involved in "external plots globally".
  • The Afghan Taliban have pushed many of the ISIS-K fighters into tribal areas on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Sources:

  • The South Asian Times, "US needs relationship with both India and Pakistan to counter ISIS-Khorasan threat"
  • The South Asian Times is a Indian news magazine.

Note: The source is provided exactly as mentioned in the original text, with no embellishments or additional details.