The Haqqani Network

A couple of good pieces about the Haqqani Network that highlight the group's affiliation with al-Qa'ida:

In the National Journal, Yochi J. Dreazen provides a good summary of the Haqqani Network's history and their relationship with Pakistani intelligence.  He also correctly notes the transfer of operational leadership from Jalaluddin Haqqani -- whom the United States was able to work with when he was an anti-Soviet mujaheddin in the 1980s -- to his son Sirajuddin, who is much closer to al-Qa'ida ideologically and much more ambitious and vicious in terms of target selection.  Consequently, the U.S. has offered $5 million for information leading to Sirajuddin's death or capture.

A bit more advanced analysis comes from West Point's Combating Terrorism Center, which analyzes jihadist magazines, old digital videos, and jihadist memoirs to conclude that since the 1980s, the Haqqani Network has provided sanctuary, training, propaganda support, and other resources for al-Qa'ida fighters.  The CTC concludes that "U.S. efforts to disrupt and degrade [al-Qa'ida] today . . . are just as much about dismantling [al-Qa'ida] as they are about degrading the Haqqani network."