President Trump Orders Administration Officials To Have Direct Taliban Talks

Mr. Pompeo meeting coalition forces at Bagram Air Base during his recent visit to Afghanistan. Providing more authority to American diplomats is seen as part of a push to inject new momentum into efforts to end the Afghan war.CreditPool photo by Andrew Harnik

New York Times: White House Orders Direct Taliban Talks to Jump-Start Afghan Negotiations

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Trump administration has told its top diplomats to seek direct talks with the Taliban, a significant shift in American policy in Afghanistan, done in the hope of jump-starting negotiations to end the 17-year war.

The Taliban have long said they will first discuss peace only with the Americans, who toppled their regime in Afghanistan in 2001. But the United States has mostly insisted that the Afghan government must take part.

The recent strategy shift, which was confirmed by several senior American and Afghan officials, is intended to bring those two positions closer and lead to broader, formal negotiations to end the long war.

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WNU Editor: The Taliban have never shown any interest in having "talks" with the U.S. to resolve the Afghan conflict. Their main focus has always been to get the U.S. to leave.

More News On President Trump Ordering Administration Officials To Have Direct Taliban Talks

White House Is Reportedly Pursuing Direct Talks With Taliban -- NYMag
White House orders direct talks with Taliban on Afghanistan -- Sydney Morning Herald
White House Orders Direct Talks With Taliban -- TOLO News
Trump administration orders direct talks with Taliban in Afghanistan -- KHAAMA Press

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