The futile peace talks taking place between Pakistan and the Taliban over cross-border terrorist attacks have produced at least one revelation: Islamabad has become the Dr Frankenstein of the region.

For decades, Pakistan’s generals believed they could manipulate Islamist militants and use them as instruments of their foreign policy. They thought it would be simple to create pliant proxies for ‘strategic depth’ in Afghanistan and leverage against India. Now the Taliban – battle-hardened, emboldened by victory and appeased by super powers – appear to be dictating the terms. The monster has turned on its master.

Islamabad, long the sponsor and protector of the Taliban, now finds itself negotiating from a position of weakness

The only surprise is that anyone in Islamabad might still be sur

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