Afghanistan’s Tale of Two Extremist Movements

New America Future Security Program Fellow Matin Bek contrasts Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's efforts at governance and relationship with the international community with those of the Taliban in the Cipher Brief:

HTS is actively working to transform and normalize governance in Syria, while the Taliban is further isolating Afghanistan and reinforcing a regressive and dangerous ideology. Both groups emerged from jihadist backgrounds, yet one is cautiously trying to integrate into the internationally accepted state system, while the other remains committed to exporting extremism by investing in jihadi infrastructure, establishing Jihadi madrasas, and preparing a new generation for global jihad.

Read the full article here.