U.S. Pullout a Condition in Afghan Peace Talks

U.S. Pullout a Condition in Afghan Peace Talks
United States Army soldiers firing mortar shells last week at Taliban positions from a base in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province. David Guttenfelder/Associated Press

From The New York Times:

KABUL, Afghanistan — Leaders of the Taliban and other armed groups battling the Afghan government are talking to intermediaries about a potential peace agreement, with initial demands focused on a timetable for a withdrawal of American troops, according to Afghan leaders here and in Pakistan.

The talks, if not the withdrawal proposals, are being supported by the Afghan government. The Obama administration, which has publicly declared its desire to coax “moderate” Taliban fighters away from armed struggle, says it is not involved in the discussions and will not be until the Taliban agree to lay down their arms. But nor is it trying to stop the talks, and Afghan officials believe they have tacit support from the Americans.

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My Comment: I am very skeptical on these talks. The Soviet Union had the same discussions with the same groups during the height of their war in the 1980s .... and it brought about the mess that we are living through right now.

The bottom line is that (from the Taliban point of view) they are fighting the infidels and invaders, and that they will ultimately win this battle or go to God trying.

This is the face of the enemy. Discussions with the enemy (us) is one of the many tools that they have used in the past and are using today .... with the ultimate goal of positioning themselves to eventually wear out and defeat the enemy.