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US ban on anti-Iran militant group could have wide-ranging impact

By expanding its terrorist watchlist, Washington is potentially making Iran, Pakistan and China happy.
Militants from the band organization Baloch Liberation Army and United Baloch Army, sit before hand over their weapons to Chieftain of Marri tribe and Pakistan's provincial minister Nawab Changaiz Marri during a surrender ceremony in Quetta on October 29, 2015. A total of 23 militants belonging to Marri tribe have surrendered to authorities with weapons in Quetta the capital of Pakistans restive southwestern province of Balochistan. AFP PHOTO/Banaras KHAN        (Photo credit should read BANARAS KHAN/AFP/Ge

The US State Department’s recent designation of Jaish al-Adl and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as terrorist organizations calls for a look at the potential international implications of this sudden move.

The Balochistan region of southwestern Asia includes the province of the same name in Pakistan, the province of Sistan and Baluchestan in southeast Iran, and part of southern Afghanistan.

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