Reportedly, the recent round of talks between the US and Taliban has generated some forward motion. Following the meeting, a Taliban spokesperson said that “the recent negotiations with the US has achieved great progress and he is very hopeful the stage is set for ending the 18-year-old war in Afghanistan”.
The recent round of talks – that lasted for thirteen days- brought Zalmay Khalilzad in direct contact with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Afghan Taliban and veteran battlefield commander. Khalilzad said they reached two draft agreements covering the withdrawal of U.S. troops and guarantees that Afghanistan would not revert to a haven for terrorists, have been chalked out with the Taliban. There continues to be a disparity in statements regarding the troop withdrawal timeline. Reportedly, Taliban demands a withdrawal within three to five months, but that U.S. officials say it will take eighteen months to two years. The US may likely seek to keep a residual US force for counterterror and diplomatic reasons. Furthermore, it is also believed that a rapid pull-out will not only face logistical hurdles but may enhance security uncertainty.
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