Many of Omar's followers desperately wish they knew how to get rid of their so-called allies in al Qaeda. It’s true that senior Taliban commanders often value the group's tactical and technical advice, and they respect its strict ideology and unflinching determination. The Taliban is still technically dependent on al Qaeda for making bombs and IEDs and planning sophisticated attacks, particularly in the cities, says a senior adviser to Afghan President Hamid Karzai. But on the whole, the jihadi group's surviving members are more of a liability than an asset to the Afghan insurgents, constantly depending on them for protection and sustenance.
Read Full Article »
