Afghanistan US Taliban US. Importantly, by showing that it is willing to speak with the “enemy,” the engagement could create a

[ Afghanistan: US and Taliban discuss aid in first direct talks since US exit ]

Many things are taking place:

US and Taliban hold first talks about the future of Afghanistan since Biden’s disastrous withdrawal: Warlords say they will not help reign in ISIS

Taliban officials said they would not help contain extremist groups in Afghanistan during their first meeting with US since the muddled withdrawal of US troops and allies from the nation in August.’

US officials were sent to meet with senior Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar, this weekend to discuss easing the evacuation of foreign citizens and Afghans from Afghanistan and reigning in extremists groups.’

Publisher: Mail Online
Date: 2021-10-09T20:23:44+0100
Author: Ronny Reyes
Reference: Visit Source (Read Article)

Six Experts on Negotiating with the Taliban

Engaging with the Taliban in Afghanistan is certainly a viable option for the United States, since it allows the United States to help isolate the extremist elements from those who feel compelled to join the Taliban insurgency under threat or in return for favors and largesse. Importantly, by showing that it is willing to speak with the “enemy,” the engagement could create a more positive view of the United States in local eyes. The United States must also try to separate the mujahadeen commanders, such as the Haqqanis and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, from the Taliban of Mullah Omar, since they are potentially rivals for power in Kabul. This may involve use of tribal and Pakistani interlocutors who once worked with these commanders during the jihad against the Soviet Union.

Reference: Visit Source (Read Article)

Sherman hails ‘longstanding ties’ with Pakistan

Sherman, the first high-ranking US diplomat to visit Pakistan since President Joe Biden took over the White House in January this year, also indicated that President Biden might soon telephone Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Since the Biden administration took charge, the relationship between the two countries has not been moving forward as observers believe that the US priorities may have changed after its exit from Afghanistan.

* * *

The apparent chill in the relationship was visible when the American diplomat was received by a lonely mid-ranking Foreign Office official at the entrance of the Foreign Office. Against this backdrop, the visit of No 2 at the US State Department was seen as important as this would determine the future course of action.

Publisher: The Express Tribune
Date: 2021-10-08T20:17:15+00:00
Author: Author link
Twitter: @etribune
Reference: Visit Source (Read Article)

‘We Did Not Inherit a Plan’: Blinken Is Grilled in Congress Over Afghanistan Exit

‘And we made the right decision in ending America’s longest war,’ he told Ms. Wagner. ‘We made the right decision in not sending a third generation of Americans to fight and die in Afghanistan.’

His measured defiance did not, however, satisfy lawmakers who questioned how the Biden administration failed to understand how quickly Afghanistan would deteriorate as the U.S. military prepared to leave.

Additionally, he said, ‘there’s no evidence that staying longer would have made the Afghan security forces or the Afghan government any more resilient or self-sustaining.’

Date: 2021-09-13T13:07:07.000Z
Twitter: @nytimes
Reference: Visit Source (Read Article)

Happening on Twitter