The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, said on Tuesday that the Taliban have been emboldened by their latest battlefield gains and are now demanding a majority stake in any future government in Kabul.
“At this point, they are demanding that they take the lion's share of power in the next government, given the military situation as they see it,” Mr Khalilzad said at the Aspen Security Forum.
He described the Taliban's position as one of strength following sweeping gains in which they have seized vast amounts of territory across Afghanistan.
“The Talibs have been emboldened by the developments in recent weeks in terms of the gains that they have made and are in a maximalist frame of mind,” Mr Khalilzad said.
In contrast, the Afghan national security forces are struggling with low morale, corrupt leadership, poor provisioning and the sudden end of western military support as US and foreign forces rush to leave the country.
US President Joe Biden has advocated a political settlement, but the Taliban remain focused on pushing their battlefield momentum.
Mr Khalilzad brokered the US withdrawal agreement with the Taliban in 2020 under then-president Donald Trump. Under the deal, the Taliban agreed not to attack US forces and start peace talks with the Kabul government.
Talks between the Afghan government and Taliban negotiators started last year in the Qatari capital of Doha, but have not made any substantive progress even after several rounds.
The two sides committed to speeding up the talks, however, at a recent meeting in Doha between a high-level Afghan political delegation and the Taliban.
“We are taking measures to secure our interests with appropriate preparations to monitor and to act if the Taliban violate the terms of the agreement,” Mr Khalilzad said.
Speaking at the same forum, retired general David Petraeus described the withdrawal decision as regrettable.
“Let’s recognise how dire the situation is. I feared we would come to regret this decision. I didn’t fear we would regret it as soon as I think we are now,” Mr Petraeus said.
“This is not a transition. This is a civil war in which millions of Afghans will flee their country.”
Mr Petraeus, who formerly headed the CIA, said he feared terrorist groups would soon return to Afghanistan.
“What we should have learnt from the past 20 years is that you cannot take your eye off of terrorists — if you give them an ungoverned space, they will exploit it, and what happens there doesn’t stay there,” he said.
Also on Tuesday, the US State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to urge an acceleration of Kabul’s negotiations with different Afghan factions, including the Taliban, while condemning continued attacks by the group.
“The secretary and President Ghani emphasised the need to accelerate peace negotiations and achieve a political settlement that is inclusive, respects the rights of all Afghans, including women and minorities, allows the Afghan people to have a say in choosing their leaders, and prevents Afghan soil from being used to threaten the United States and its allies and partners,” the statement read.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
World Cup 2022 qualifier
UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm
Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
RESULT
Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal: Aubameyang (13')
Chelsea: Jorginho (83'), Abraham (87')
Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
January 24 – First T20, Lahore
January 25 – Second T20, Lahore
January 27 – Third T20, Lahore
February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi
April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi
April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi
Racecard
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah Group Two (PA) US$55,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Trophy (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,200m
8.15pm: Balanchine Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Firebreak Stakes Group Three (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections: 6.30pm: RM Lam Tara, 7.05pm: Al Mukhtar Star, 7.40pm: Bochart, 8.15pm: Magic Lily, 8.50pm: Roulston Scar, 9.25pm: Quip, 10pm: Jalmoud
Race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m
6.30pm: Liwa Oaisi Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
The National selections: 5pm: Flit Al Maury, 5.30pm: Sadah, 6pm: RB Seqondtonone, 6.30pm: RB Money To Burn, 7pm: SS Jalmood, 7.30pm: Dalaalaat
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
