The Haqqani Network

The Obama administration has made it very clear that they intend to improve America's image in the Muslim world. They are doing this, of course, by not closing Guantanamo Bay, launching a record number of drone strikes, killing the most notorious Islamist in world history in the middle of Pakistan without Pakistan's permission, and making a public spectacle of the accidental Koran burnings that should have been handled discreetly (not that I have a problem with the first three). Now the administration is taking further steps to make friends in Pakistan by declaring the politically connected Haqqani network as a terrorist organization because of their continued support of the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

So who exactly are the Haqqani network? Many officials in the United States government, particularly within the military, have called the Haqqani network the greatest threat to continued operations (and eventual peace) in Afghanistan. The Haqqani network, named after the influential Haqqani clan, operate out of North Waziristan in Pakistan and has thrown their impressive weight behind the Taliban. They provide a level of coordination and sophistication to the Taliban fighters that otherwise might not be possible. The Haqqanis run their own training camps for foreign fighters, secure financial support from wealthy donors in the Persian Gulf as well as money funneled from any number of legitimate (and illegitimate) businesses, engage in kidnappings and smuggling, and extort local tribal leaders to provide resources and to support the Taliban. The Haqqani network has extensive connections within the Pakistani government, especially the Pakistani army (who have refused to launch offensives into Haqqani territory even with concrete evidence of the presence of senior al-Qaeda leaders) and other security services. Pakistan also views the Haqqani network as a useful proxy to push Pakistani interests in the ever-shifting political landscape of Afghanistan. In that way, the Haqqani network could be seen as Pakistan's version of Hezbollah, taking advantage of the chaotic situation in a war-torn region (Lebanon for Hezbollah, Afghanistan for the Haqqani network) for the benefit of a nearby Islamist state. The Haqqani network has been accused of targeting Indian construction projects in Afghanistan as well as attacking NATO forces on the ground. For example, the Haqqani network has been blamed for recent suicide bombing in Kabul carried out by a young man believed to be only 14 years old.

The decision to declare the Haqqani network a distinct terrorist organization, intended to give counter-terrorism officials more authority to shut down Haqqani military operations in Afghanistan and cut off funding, was hotly debated within the administration. While counter-terrorism experts and military analysts praised the move, many officials within the State Department and the White House warned that it would make the eventual withdrawal from Afghanistan even more difficult. That is not an idle worry. According to officials, the attack in Kabul was only the opening salvo in response to the declaration (because the best way to prove that you're not a terrorist group is to organize a suicide bombing). In addition, the declaration has angered many members of the Pakistani government who have connections with the Haqqanis, further eroding an already tenuous diplomatic relationship with Pakistan. The situation within Pakistan is growing increasingly dangerous, as well. Last week a car filled with explosives crashed into a vehicle operated by the United States Consulate in Peshawar and detonated, leaving several members of the consulate staff and dozens of bystanders injured.

In the end, the debate comes down to this: should diplomatic or military options take priority in Afghanistan? Let me know what you think in the Comments and by answering this week's poll.