Introduction

In spite of major military and diplomatic efforts at pacification that have cost the lives of more than 1,000 Pakistani army and Frontier Corps soldiers since 2004, Pakistan's tribal frontier region abutting Afghanistan, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), remains highly volatile and with the unrest migrating to settled areas of the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP).

Indeed, 30% of Pakistan is estimated to be out of government control, seemingly affording a safe haven for Osama bin Laden and the core Al-Qaeda leadership and enabling the Afghan Taliban to rearm and recruit in its campaign against NATO and US forces.

Moreover, counterinsurgency strategies for the region are challenged by a highly complex political environment, deeply rooted corruption, and a dynamic tribal structure with unique customs and norms. In many ways, the utility of kinetic force is being called into question.

Navigating this terrain requires detailed and granular information about region's adversaries as well as a textured understanding of the cultural and human terrain.

This conference will unravel Pakistan’s complex frontier landscape through a combination of our unique on-the-ground network and analytical tools and expertise. Attendees of the conference will hear analysis of:

- The political, military, and economic challenges to counterinsurgency in the region;
- Current Taliban and al-Qa'ida operational trends;
- The atmospherics within FATA & NWFP;
- And future trends and scenarios for the region.