Prevailing understandings of control – which focus on territorial dividing lines and acts of violence – are incomplete. Our paper argues that armed group control should instead be broken down according to how armed groups seek to influence populations.

Much has been written about the Taliban and Al Qaeda since 2001, but there is little consensus. Based on over 100 interviews with insurgent commanders and others, this report examines the Taliban’s strategic calculus for maintaining ties to Al Qaeda.