Trump’s Twenty-Point Plan and Hamas’s Rebirth

The Haqqani Network functions as an autonomous branch of the Taliban that carries out operational attacks and serves as a conduit for other terrorist organizations' activities.By avoiding the publicity of other terrorist organizations, the Haqqani Network has been able to operate at a high-level, playing a double game of disrupting the peace agreement signed in February 2020 in Doha, Qatar, while also signaling peaceful messages towards American and allied forces as the U.S. leaves Afghanistan.This report explores the history and capabilities of the Haqqani Network and offers policy recommendations for the U.S. to consider as the February 2020 Doha peace agreement continues to see American forces withdraw from Afghanistan.The Haqqani Network is likely to play a significant role in events in the coming months.• Beginning with its patriarch leader, Jalaluddin Haqqani, the group has been able to establish relations with a variety of terrorist groups to further its objectives.• Recent endeavors with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan Province illustrate a growing trend of increased attacks on Afghan security forces that will likely continue after American troops leave Afghanistan.• Sirajuddin Haqqani's roles as deputy emir and militant commander of the Taliban's forces have allowed the Haqqani Network greater influence over the Taliban's decision-making.• The Haqqani Network aims to reestablish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and strives to support the Taliban in ruling over the country once again.• U.S. policies will differ depending on whether the Doha agreement stands; However, the U.S. must factor in the role of the Haqqanis when it comes to the U.S.' goals in the region.