Explained: The Iran-Taliban connection

Iran's geopolitical situation played a crucial role in the war against al-Qaeda terrorism immediately following 2001. By Erfan Fard, BESA Center Shortly after the 9/11 attacks on the American homeland in 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban regime and al-Qaeda. US policy was to conduct a full-scale war to neutralize jihadism and Islamic terrorism, not just in Afghanistan but around the globe. This was a new paradigm in the security order of the Middle East. As the Taliban in Afghanistan rose in terms of power and visibility, it became a serious concern of the Iranian Quds Force…