US Sends Envoy to Qatar in Efforts to Negotiate a Settlement with the Taliban

by mcardinal

Justin Bullock, FISM News

 

The White House has has sent a peace envoy to Qatar, where Taliban officials hold a diplomatic office, to help formulate an international response to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. The US state department said that the goal will be “to press the Taliban to stop their military offensive and to negotiate a political settlement, which is the only path to stability and development in Afghanistan.” The envoy will also try to gain a commitment from surrounding countries to not recognize the Taliban if they do come to power through force. 

The situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated incredibly quickly ever since the US and other international military forces left the country a few weeks ago. In fact, at least 65% of the country is now controlled by the Taliban as the seventh provincial capital, Pul-e-Khumri, was captured on Tuesday. President Biden has urged the Afghan government to defend itself and its people but mere words will not accomplish much if anything at all.

The President of Afghanistan is starting to become desperate and has begun allying with minor, regional militias that up to this point he had squabbled with for years. He has even indicated that the country’s capital, Kabul is no longer safe from the Taliban.

In the midst of the political chaos, thousands of Afghan refuges are being displaced around the country or even killed in the conflict. At this point it is not especially clear what further negotiation with the Taliban will accomplish as they have almost no incentive to cease their aggressions. Once they achieve a de-facto control over the entire country they can effectively ignore all diplomatic entreaties and demands for peace from the US or anyone else. In many ways, the worst fears of the US’s top generals about leaving Afghanistan are coming true.

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