The Af-Pak Conflict: Pakistan's Failed 'Strategic Depth' Policy and the TTP Blowback
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India and its neighborhood - Afghanistan, Pakistan); Border disputes (Durand Line); International Security (Terrorist groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Islamic State (IS)).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): "India and its neighborhood- relations"; "Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests." (The Af-Pak instability is a core topic).
General Studies Paper 3 (Internal Security): "Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security" (Pakistan's policy backfiring); "Security challenges and their management in border areas."
Key Highlights from the News
The relationship between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban has deteriorated, leading to strong cross-border clashes and air strikes.
The main reason for this conflict: Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan - TTP) on their soil.
The Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan in 2021 greatly encouraged the TTP in Pakistan and led to an increase in terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
Pakistan's long-standing policy of using Afghanistan as a "strategic depth" has now completely backfired.
The dispute over the Durand Line (a colonial-era border) and Pakistan's forced deportation of Afghan refugees have worsened the problems.
India's diplomatic outreach to the Taliban is also provoking Pakistan.
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