Afghanistan-Pakistan relations

The Taliban may not be willing to crack down beyond a point, as that could provide the group's arch-foe, the ISKP, with a propaganda boost.

The closure of the Torkham border crossing after an exchange of fire between the two sides has halted trade.

Pakistan skipped the meeting, while Russia has proposed a new effort to build “regional consensus” – a G-5.

The shelling has come at a time of mounting bilateral tensions over Pakistani border posts and Taliban sheltering anti-Pakistan militants.

Washington's recent addition of the TTP to its list of global terrorist groups signals the renewed U.S.-Pakistan coordination in bringing such organizations to heel.

The Taliban’s nationalist faction, if triumphant over the Pakistan-backed extremists, could help bring peace to the region.

The Afghan Taliban prefer to broker peace rather than crack the whip on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Militant attacks in Pakistan have grown since the Taliban came to power last year.

The Durand Line continues to bedevil Af-Pak relations. One doesn’t recognize it; the other ignores it when convenient.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban now believe they too can wage a successful jihad against the ‘infidel’ Pakistani state.

"Yes, there are no women yet," Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi said of the Taliban government. "But let us let the situation evolve."