Pashtun / Pashtunwali / Pashtunistan (catch all)

[Ron Humphrey]

BUT, as I am ever in a debate mode here are some historical precedents and some of my own thoughts having been looking hard at the region lately.

Aren't we all

By the way I am not advocating this idea, I am only looking at the fight we have and see a change in the goals of the Taliban and their supporters. Namely the formation (even covert) of a Pushtoonistan- the fulfillment of an ancient desire to unify all Pashtuns on both sides of the Durand line.

You could very well be seeing a congruence of sorts between many of the parties to this and there would almost certainly be lineage as well as other factors used to encourage it. But I think it's probably more in lines with trying to find a way to bring bigger battles rather than small scuffles. Sorta an Afghan/Tali Tet as it were. I really don't know how far beyond that any particular grouping is gonna effectively stick considering how easily associations switch based on survival instincts of the varying tribal, religious, and military leaders.