In Kunduz, Afghan forces backed by local and US air power were able to stop the city falling and repel the Taliban, who briefly seized the provincial capital in 2015. … [Read more...] about Taliban attack rocks Kabul as US envoy visits Afghan capital
Special envoy khalilzad
US appoints veteran envoy for Afghan peace effort
An Afghan native, Khalilzad was tapped by President George W. Bush to be his ambassador to Afghanistan after the overthrow of the Taliban following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He then served as ambassador to Iraq and the United Nations. … [Read more...] about US appoints veteran envoy for Afghan peace effort
Pakistan assures U.S. envoy of support for Afghan peace talks
Trump wants to bring to a close the conflict between Afghan security forces and the Taliban, who were removed from power with the aid of American bombing after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, and have fought ever since to reestablish their version of strict Islamic law. … [Read more...] about Pakistan assures U.S. envoy of support for Afghan peace talks
Pakistan Takes Credit for Latest Round of U.S.-Taliban Peace Talks
Echoing the retired colonel, the Journal noted, “Taliban officials have shown in their talks with the U.S. since July some willingness to moderate the group’s absolutist demands, accepting, for example, an incremental withdrawal of American forces over an extended period of years, people familiar with the talks say.” … [Read more...] about Pakistan Takes Credit for Latest Round of U.S.-Taliban Peace Talks
U.S. Envoy on Stalled Afghanistan Peace Negotiations: ‘If Taliban Want to Talk, We Can Talk’
The Trump administration, marking a significant departure from its predecessor, is discussing reconciliation directly with the Taliban while insisting that the Afghan government must participate. Under Trump, the U.S. has escalated its peace-seeking activities in Afghanistan, making “political reconciliation” between the Taliban and the Afghan government the primary goal of its strategy to end the war — raging since October 2001 at a tremendous cost of nearly $1 trillion, over 2,270 U.S. military fatalities, and more than 20,400 injuries, primarily at the hands of the Taliban. … [Read more...] about U.S. Envoy on Stalled Afghanistan Peace Negotiations: ‘If Taliban Want to Talk, We Can Talk’
