The Stream

How will failed US-Taliban talks impact Afghanistan’s future?

Diplomatic shift will likely lead to escalation of military operations on both sides.

On Thursday, September 12 at 19:30 GMT:
During an event honouring the victims of the 9/11 attacks, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened the Taliban with even more military action and blamed the group for the sudden end to peace talks between the US government and Afghanistan’s Taliban leaders.

His tweets also revealed a “cancelled” secret meeting with Taliban leaders that was to be held at the presidential compound in Camp David, Maryland just days before the 9/11 anniversary. A Taliban spokesman criticised Trump for calling off the dialogue and said his actions would result in even more casualties in what has become the longest war in American history.

The US-Taliban talks, which began in October 2018, have focused on four main issues: the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, an intra-Afghan dialogue, a permanent ceasefire, and a guarantee that the Taliban will not let foreign fighters to use Afghanistan as a launchpad to conduct attacks outside the country.

In 2001, a US-led military coalition ousted Afghanistan’s Taliban from power because of their role in sheltering al-Qaeda, the group blamed for the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US.

In this episode, we’ll look at how the shift in diplomacy could impact Afghan security and discuss the likelihood of future of peace negotiations. Join the conversation.

 

 

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

 

Charlotte Bellis @CharlotteBellis
Correspondent at Al Jazeera English
aljazeera.com

 

Horia Mosadiq @Hmosadiq
Executive director at Conflict Analysis Network
conflict-analysis.org 

 

Sediq Seddiqi @ARG_AFG 
Spokesperson to the president of Afghanistan
president.gov.af

 

 

Read more:
Trump cancels Taliban talks: What does it mean for Afghanistan? – AJE
Afghans glad Trump stopped Taliban talks, even if they doubt his explanation – New York Times

 

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