August 29, 2018
Ex-Pentagon Adviser: US-Taliban Talks an ‘Icebreaker’
The United States and the Taliban are reported to be in the early stages of discussions for the first time since 2012. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Christopher Kolenda, who fought in Afghanistan and later served as a senior Pentagon adviser, was instrumental in helping set up those talks — in part through his own discussion with Taliban officials in Qatar. He spoke with VOA’s William Gallo about where he sees the peace process going, especially in light of a recent surge in violence. This interview was condensed for clarity.
William Gallo: How would you characterize the current U.S.-Taliban talks?
Christopher Kolenda: We’ve had a situation in which each of the three main parties — the Afghan government, the Taliban, and the United States — have all been wanting talks but have put conditions on starting talks that the other side can’t meet.
So this effort for a conversation between the U.S. government and the Taliban, which has happened in full coordination with the Afghan government, is meant as an icebreaker to lead to a negotiating process in which the Taliban and the Afghan government begin discussions about the political future of Afghanistan. Because only Afghans can solve that.
Gallo: Is there any indication these talks have moved into more advanced stages?
Kolenda: Not to my knowledge. It seems there was a discussion and then things are on hold a bit. There’s rumored to be another round of U.S.-Taliban talks in Doha in early September.
Read the Full Interview at Voice of America
More from CNAS
-
Sharper: Axis of Upheaval
A loose but growing coalition between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea demonstrates that their combined strategic interests have the potential to pose significant economic...
By Anna Pederson
-
The United States Should Not Ignore Kuwait’s Democratic Backslide
In May, Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al Sabah, the emir of Kuwait, suspended the country’s National Assembly. This was a striking move against one of the more powerful legislative...
By Aaron Arnett
-
U.S Approves $20 Billion in Arms for Israel
Jonathan Lord joins i24NEWS and Ambassador Danny Ayalon to discuss the US-Israel relationship, the increased U.S. military presence in the region, and President Biden’s succes...
By Jonathan Lord
-
Making an Iranian attack Tehran’s worst option
The Supreme Leader will be less likely to launch a major missile attack if he believes the US military will preemptively strike to defang it....
By Jonathan Lord