Small Wars Journal

U.S. Commander Says Conditions Improving for Afghan Peace Talks

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 11:03pm

U.S. Commander Says Conditions Improving for Afghan Peace Talks by Gordon Lubold and

Nancy A. Youssef – Wall Street Journal

KABUL—The commander of American-led military forces in Afghanistan said Wednesday that prospects for reconciliation between Afghans and Taliban militants are improving, although former officials and experts are concerned that U.S. diplomatic resources for negotiating a solution are inadequate.

A comprehensive offer by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani late last month, coupled with a recent Taliban request for talks with the U.S., come as the U.S. and its allies start a military campaign with thousands of new forces.

“We have a moment where the objective of our campaign and reconciliation are in play, so this is significant,” Army Gen. John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in the country, told reporters here Wednesday.

However, questions about Washington’s willingness and capacity to negotiate have been raised by former officials and experts, some citing departing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s decision last year to eliminate the post of senior envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan…

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