//The Wire//2130Z March 19, 2024//

//ROUTINE//

//BLUF: CONFLICT ERUPTS ON AFGHAN/PAKISTANI BORDER. CHINA INCREASES PARTNERSHIP WITH NIGER.//

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-International Events-

Niger: As Nigerien attitudes towards an American presence in Niger remain tepid, Chinese influence continues to grow throughout the region. Yesterday, the Governor of the State of Niger met with representatives of the China Railway Corporation with the intent to explore the options of creating a railway network that would span the majority of the country.

Afghanistan: Conflict has erupted between Taliban forces and Pakistani border guards as Afghan forces seize key terrain in what is traditionally referred to as the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) in Pakistan.

-HomeFront-

Texas: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Texas, ruling that the state can enforce immigration law by making illegal entry a state crime.

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Analyst Comments: As the extremely rugged terrain along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border is some of the most remote and inaccessible land on Earth, it is challenging to determine how far Afghan forces have gone in conducting limited assaults into what is technically Pakistan. The nature of the conflict is also likely not a full-scale invasion, but rather typical of the conflict throughout the region; mostly skirmishes and limited engagements between small units on both sides. However, this does indicate that Afghanistan is not just interesting in, but also capable of, settling old scores with historic adversaries.

Analyst: S2A1

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