Media advisory: Taliban could ramp up small attacks in wake of Mullah Mansour's death, researcher says

LAWRENCE — As a U.S. drone strike killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, a University of Kansas researcher who studies terrorism is available to discuss potential developments in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.

Don Haider-Markel, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, as part of his versatile scholarship portfolio researches terrorism, extremist groups, public policy and American politics.

"This is, of course, significant, but it’s not clear if the already fractured Taliban will be more willing to engage in peace talks now," Haider-Markel said. "In the short term there will likely even be more attacks by the Taliban in Afghanistan as potential Taliban leaders try to prove their mettle to other Taliban forces. However, these attacks will likely be fairly small, poorly coordinated, and result in few deaths and damage."

To arrange an interview with Haider-Markel, contact George Diepenbrock at 785-864-8853 or gdiepenbrock@ku.edu.