Taliban fail to disrupt Afghan elections, but future still uncertain

Share

Stars and Stripes, 6 April 2014

Martine van Bijlert, co-director of the Kabul-based Afghanistan Analysts Network, cautioned against drawing conclusions too early about the effect of the elections on the insurgent group. For starters, she said, it’s unclear if their efforts to disrupt the election were thwarted or if they simply pulled back, waiting for a better opportunity when Afghan security forces are not on such high alert.

“If they had hoped this election would be a huge propaganda victory for them, that didn’t happen, but what that means long term — for their position or capabilities or military strength or position on peace talks — it’s a bit early to call,” van Bijlert said.