China risks militants' wrath in Afghanistan, Pakistan and beyond

The pop of gunfire rang out from the high-rise Kabul Longan Hotel in the afternoon of Dec. 12. Plumes of smoke spewed from shattered windows, towering into the air above the Afghan capital.

Atop the hotel's blackened facade, a sign bearing its name in red Chinese characters hinted at the target. The Longan is known to be frequented by Chinese diplomats and businesspeople -- a point Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) mentioned when it claimed responsibility for the bombing and shooting attack.