; ensure the areas they control will not be used to threaten any other country, and call on them to prevent terrorist recruiting, training, and fundraising, and expel any known terrorists.” (12) In an interview with the New York Times in January 2019, SRAR Khalilzad stated, The Taliban [officials] have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals. (13) Al Qaeda considers Afghanistan a continuing safe haven for its leadership, relying on its long-standing and strong relationship with the Taliban leadership. Top leaders of al Qaeda remain loyal to the leader of the Taliban, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada. Osama bin Laden’s successor Ayman al-Zawahiri publicly declared his allegiance to Akhundzada in 2016. (14) The Haqqani Network is subsumed under the larger Taliban umbrella network, but maintains distinct command, control, and lines of operations. The Haqqani Network leader is Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is also the deputy leader of the Taliban and oversees armed combat against United States and coalition forces. (15) ISIS–K has claimed presence in Afghanistan since 2015, and suffered from territorial losses in 2018 due to immense pressure from sustained operations by United States and Afghan forces. The Department of Defense's June 2019 report, Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan , submitted to Congress in accordance with section 1225 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 ( Public Law 113–291