In the last few days the messages that the United States and the Taliban were on the verge of achieving a peace agreement for Afghanistan are piling up. The US special envoy to the war-torn country, Zalmay Khalilzad, spent almost the whole of last week in Qatar, to negotiate with a Taliban Delegation. This was first headed by Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder and most influential leader of the Taliban. Baradar had been last October in Pakistan dismissed – apparently with the aim to deepen the contact to the USA.
Both Khalilzad as well as a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed that progress had been made. But both denied that there is already a framework for a peace. In fact, the biggest doubts are on the subject of peace in Afghanistan. Rival groups in the country, the neighboring countries, Nato countries have stationed troops there, Russia, China, India, and even Iran and Saudi Arabia pursue their own goals.
Donald Trump wants the US troops, if possible, pull off quickly and plays to the Taliban’s hands.
However, puts U.S. President Donald Trump, the US soldiers as quickly as possible is going to withdraw his own envoy under pressure and plays with the radical Islamists in their hands. This is also Ashraf Ghani, the Afghan President, who was previously involved in the discussions only indirectly does. He said last week at the WEF, since his arrival 2014 45’000 Afghan security forces were also killed. A shockingly high number that exceeds previous estimates. Ghani’s statement can be understood as a cry for help – and at the same time the Taliban are clearly more successful appearance than is generally thought.
The Taliban are in a strong Position. The peace talks will not facilitate.
(editing Tamedia)
Created: 28.01.2019, 20:34 PM
