Al Qaeda and Islamic State Affiliates in Afghanistan

Afghanistans geography, complex ethnic composition, and recent history of conflict and instability have created space for numerous regional armed groups. This product outlines major terrorist groups affiliated and allied with Al Qaeda(AQ) and the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIS, ISIL, or by the Arabic acronym Daesh) and the convoluted, often shifting relations between them and various other state and non-state actors. These dynamics may inform assessments of U.S. policy in Afghanistan in light of the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban agreement, which commits the Taliban to undertake counterterrorism efforts and commits the United States to a full military withdrawal by April 2021.