Michael Hughes: U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has shamelessly suggested that if he can help broker a ceasefire and ensure women are involved in intra-Afghan peace talks U.S. involvement in Afghanistan should be seen as a net benefit. This is quite audacious coming from a man who about 17 years ago single-handedly destroyed any chances for peace
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty July 12, 2019 The U.S. peace envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, says the United States is not “cutting and running” from the war-torn country as it negotiates a peace agreement with the Taliban. Khalilzad’s prerecorded video statement, shown at a conference held at Georgetown University in Washington on July 11, came
By RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan July 9, 2019 KABUL — The Taliban and a delegation representing Afghan society have agreed at talks in Qatar upon a road map for a future political settlement in what is seen as a major step toward ending Afghanistan’s nearly 18-year war. However, there are major discrepancies between different versions
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty July 7, 2019 Dozens of Afghan delegates, including political figures, women, and other stakeholders, are attending an Intra-Afghan Dialogue Conference in Qatar involving negotiators from the Taliban. Just hours before the gathering began in Doha on July 7, the militant group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in the Afghan city
Ayaz Gul VOA News June 1, 2019 ISLAMABAD — The chief of the Taliban is calling on the United States to accept his insurgent group’s “logical proposals” for advancing peace negotiations between the two adversaries on ending the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan. Hibatullah Akhundzada made the remarks in his annual message ahead of next week’s Muslim
1TV: There is deep conflict between the US intelligence community’s views on the prospects for Afghan peace and Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad’s optimism, a senior US senator has said on Wednesday. Khalilzad has held six rounds of peace talks with the Taliban and on Wednesday he briefed US lawmakers over the issue. Click here to read more
Tolo News: US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is appearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday for a closed hearing on the Afghan reconciliation process, said US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It is expected that Khalilzad will brief the committee on his talks with Abdul Ghani Baradar Taliban’s political deputy and his team as
Ayaz Gul VOA News May 13, 2019 ISLAMABAD — The Taliban’s chief negotiator says in newly released remarks that the United States is on the verge of defeat and will quit Afghanistan soon “either of their own accord, or they will be forced out.” Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai made the assertions in an April 28 speech
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 10, 2019 The U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan said on May 10 that “faster progress” is needed in peace talks with the Taliban as another round of discussions between the two sides came to an end. Zalmay Khalilzad said “steady but slow progress” was made in the round of discussions