It is becoming increasingly clear that Pakistan no longer has the ability to keep tribal areas bordering Afghanistan under control and prevent the growing spread of Taliban and terrorist activities in the area.

The growing movement of ‘Jihadistanis’ saw Al Qaeda’s activities in the region swell to beyond all previous proportions. The Taliban’s network had seemingly wormed its way through the tribal regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan and filtered right through into daily life. But NATO had a brain wave. Drones began targeting militants in the region and most seem to be of the view that Al Qaeda’s activities have been severely restricted by the strikes. As ever, though, they have proven to be a double-edged sword. Drone strikes have resulted in Pakistani soldiers and civilians being killed or wounded, and this is adding to the growing tensions which are never far below the surface in this troubled region.

For every inch of goodwill gained by militants being killed, a yard is being lost when a Pakistani innocent is killed. Besides, the strikes have not eradicated the Jihadistanis by any stretch of the imagination.

But first one must understand exactly what a Jihadistani is. These are militants from countries around the world, whose sole aim is to carry out Jihad (Holy War) against the West, and Central Asian governments. Their ranks are made up of British, German, Dutch, French, Egyptian, Chechen, Tajik and Uzbek nationals.

By targeting the tribal areas of Pakistan, US and Nato forces are unwittingly helping the web of terror spread. It is already worrying enough in that Pakistan’s porous border is blurring with that of Afghanistan. But the fact that grey areas are now showing up in the (relatively) stable central Asian Republics of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is even more worrying. In trying to eradicate terrorism, we are helping it spread. Tajikistan also shares a border with China, so it really could bring terrorism closer to the awakening giant which is China.

Insurrection has always been part of history and humanity. But rarely have we seen a movement so hell bent on wreaking havoc and destruction. Porous borders are an extreme concern. It is hard to understand why these people do what they do. Some are brainwashed. Others are disaffected youth – mostly from Europe. Others want their tribal lands. Others simply want conflict for conflict’s sake. Others still do it out of a warped understanding of the Islamic religion.

But, if Pakistan goes into freefall and becomes a failed state, it would have serious repercussions on the whole world. Let us not forget. Pakistan is a nuclear armed country which shares a border (and an acrimonious) relationship with India – another nuclear power. India borders China. China borders Tajikistan and the whole trail becomes apparent – a network which includes Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan. Are we unwittingly exporting terror? These are truly dangerous times. The world should take this threat seriously. If we don’t we could plunge into times of extreme strife where central Asia would become the new postcolonial Africa.