The Facts
The US State Department declared two militant groups, al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as terrorist organizations in a statement on Thursday. The two groups reportedly operate out of Afghanistan but have connections in Pakistan.
Four militant commanders from the groups were also named as Specially Designated Global Terrorists: emir of AQIS Osama Mehmood, deputy emir of AQIS Atif Yahya Ghouri, AQIS recruiting branch leader Muhammad Maruf, and deputy emir of TTP Qari Amjad.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Blinken and the State Department are committed to seeing to it that international terrorists aren't able to operate with impunity in Afghanistan. This was a necessary decision taken in the name of duty to counter militant terrorism.
Establishment-critical narrative
The US is once again meddling in affairs that are none of its business. The so-called “terrorist” organizations are fighting for their own sovereign and religious objectives that are of no concern to the West.
Cynical narrative
From provoking nuclear war with Russia to illegal wars in the Middle East, the US is always on the side of conflict, and WWIII looms closer everyday with these kinds of actions. The US can no longer do as it pleases — its adversaries are strong enough to do Americans, and the rest of the world, immense harm.