Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan and Khawaja Asif’s “open war” warning mark a sharp escalation in tensions driven by TTP sanctuaries and Taliban inaction. The crisis reflects Afghanistan’s long history of resisting outside force, shaped by geography, tribal power, and decades of proxy warfare. Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghanistan and Khawaja Asif’s “open war” warning mark a sharp escalation in tensions driven by TTP sanctuaries and Taliban inaction. The crisis reflects Afghanistan’s long history of resisting outside force, shaped by geography, tribal power, and decades of proxy warfare.