Scott N. RomaniukMostafa AminiAnwar OuassiniLászló Csicsmann2025-09-242025-09-242025-08-31Romaniuk, S. N.,, Mostafa Amini, Anwar Ouassini & László Csicsmann. (2025). BATTLING SHADOWS: ANALYSING THE TALIBAN-TTP NEXUS IN POST-2021 SECURITY DYNAMICS USING NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING (NLP). Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law, 13(2), 381–400. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol13no2.10502590-439610.33102/mjsl.vol13no2.1050https://mjsl.usim.edu.my/index.php/jurnalmjsl/article/view/1050/505https://oarep.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/27593Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law, Volume 13 Issue 2 Page (381–400)<jats:p>This study examines the evolving relationship between Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Afghan Taliban within the broader context of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and regional security environment following the United States (U.S.) withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research draws on a diverse corpus of news reports, official statements, and scholarly sources in English, Urdu, and Farsi. Our analysis focuses on the period post-September 1, 2021, using data from the Nexis Uni academic database. Employing Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), the study analyses 2,889 articles to identify thematic patterns and discursive trends. A customised analytical framework categorises the findings into four key components: motivational, religious, ethno-racial, and administrative. By mapping these dimensions, the study offers insights into the factors shaping Pakistan’s strategic posture and decision-making. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on terrorism, counter-terrorism, and regional security in South and Central Asia, with a particular focus on the post-2021 dynamics between Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban, and the TTP.</jats:p>en-USAfghanistancounter-terrorismLatent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA)pashtunreligious-ideological rhetoricTalibanTehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)text::journal::journal article381400132