ISAS Briefs

The killing of Osama bin Laden has sent a chilling message to its affiliates in the region. However, at the same time, it has initiated speculations that having achieved their objective of eliminating Osama, the United States (US) can safely commence the ‘drawdown’ of forces. Will the US abandon Afghanistan, yet again, as it did when it shifted focus to Iraq? Will it stay put and focus on the groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Pakistani Taliban who have vowed revenge? Will it pursue the Quetta Shura so that they become amenable to the reconciliation process underway in Afghanistan? If the goal of the US is to pursue the region, answers to these questions remain vital for the prospects of stabilisation in Afghanistan and Pakistan.