7 chapters across the catalog
The Biden administration's call for an "inclusive" Taliban government is mocked following the appointment of Haqqani network members. Speculation continues regarding whether the Kabul airport bomber was one of the 5,000 prisoners released from Bagram Air Base. Susan Rice's past praise for Bowe Bergdahl is also revisited.
Pentagon Funding, Haqqani Network, ABC News Investigation
An ABC News investigation by Brian Ross reveals that the U.S. Pentagon has awarded contracts worth $150 million to companies with alleged ties to the Haqqani Network and Al-Qaeda. Military officials cite "due process" and classified evidence as reasons for not blocking these contractors. The hosts suggest these groups may be used as proxies to disrupt foreign infrastructure like the Chinese rail projects.
Haqqani Network, ISI Support, Indian Media Reports
Reports from Indian media link the Haqqani Network to the Pakistani ISI, alleging the group operates as a criminal enterprise involved in real estate and import-export. The hosts note that Hillary Clinton has a legal deadline to designate the Haqqani Network as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), which the U.S. has been hesitant to do.
ISI Chief Visit, CBS Haqqani Network Propaganda
The head of Pakistan's ISI met with CIA Director David Petraeus to discuss the cessation of drone strikes. However, CBS News aired a report focusing on the Haqqani Network's "safe havens" in Pakistan, using high-quality video of a militant attack on a U.S. base. The hosts characterize the CBS report as blatant propaganda designed to justify continued drone warfare.
The final Sunday Times review covers Vladimir Putin's plan to return to the Russian presidency and the "Haqqani crime empire" in Afghanistan. The report notes the Haqqani family's historical ties to the CIA and Saudi intelligence, framing the current media focus as a PR campaign for a new "boogeyman."
The Pentagon is shifting its focus toward the Haqqani network, labeling them "public enemy number one" following the assassination of former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani. US officials are pressuring Pakistan to eliminate Haqqani safe havens along the border. This rhetorical shift is seen as a move to justify increased drone strikes and move the narrative away from Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Taliban Sanctuaries, Al Qaeda Coordination, Haqqani Network
Hillary Clinton discussed the presence of Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan and their ongoing coordination with Al Qaeda. The Haqqani Network is identified as a significant independent insurgent group allied with the Taliban that poses a major threat to NATO forces. A brief linguistic investigation reveals that "Haqqani" may be derived from Urdu, meaning "alpha" or "truthful."
