Re: Unfair Criticism of Inteligence Agencies
Iconoclast, I tend to agree. It doesn't make sense that an agency would be supporting a group that is actively working against that same agency.
Part of the problem is confusion surrounding the term "Taliban"
If we are talking about the Afghan Taliban, then it's very much possible (and perhaps sound geopolitical policy) for ISI to be supporting the Afghan Taliban.
But as for "Pakistani Taliban" (TTP), it just doesn't make sense since it's clear that TTP is a force of criminal elements implementing a well orchestrated foreign agenda, which is essentially anti-Pakistan, to weaken, destabilize, and demoralize.
As for why they use the term Taliban, it's a perfect cover. Not only does it help them recruit religiously minded people whom they then brainwash and manipulate for their own endeavors, but if one accepts that TTP is truly an anti-Pakistan force, then it follows that they do not want a Pakistan-friendly government in Afghanistan, so discrediting the Taliban by using their name would help turn public sentiment in Pakistan against them, thereby leaving Pakistan stranded between America on one end, and TTP on the other; being forced to either pick one or somehow straddle between the two (in either case, instability and confusion reigns)
khair it's a bit more complex than that, but that's the jist of it from my end.