US-Taliban Rapprochement

The United States did not recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan (1996-2001) but the two countries had a working relationship. The relations between the two countries began to deteriorate with the terrorist attacks on US embassies in the East African capital cities of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), and Nairobi (Kenya), on August 7, 1998. In response to the bombings, President Clinton ordered punitive action by launching a series of cruise missiles on terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan on August 20, 1998. Subsequently, the terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre, and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 (9/11) resulted in a US-led invasion of Afghanistan that destroyed the Taliban government. The recent willingness of the Bush administration to talk to the Taliban points to a narrowing of differences. Is the Afghan policy of the United States changing?  

Developments in the region suggest that this might be happening. The US has been contemplating involving various tribes in the governance of Afghanistan, as they have done in Iraq. There is a growing realisation in the US and Europe that the Taliban is a major force in Afghanistan and its involvement in the country’s governance could bring peace and stability. The US has therefore begun pursuing an accommodative approach. The US ambassador to Afghanistan, William B. Wood argued the case in Washington for flexibility and there has been a steady shift in the US position. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on October 6, 2008 that the US wants peace with “reconcilable” Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. This spells a major change in the US policy. Besides external powers, the regional players like Iran, Pakistan, India, Russia, and China have an interest in a new order in Afghanistan. 

The diplomatic moves are part of a broader political effort to curb the downward spiral of violence in Afghanistan. Security had deteriorated to the point that US military officials, NATO forces, and Afghan forces had to accept that insurgency could not be defeated solely by military means. Diplomatic initiatives have consequently been stepped up over the last several months by the US, European countries, and the regional nations. The readiness of Saudi Arabia to sponsor talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government is an important step in this direction. Talks with Taliban, in fact, found greater appeal with the US military and the NATO forces as they lost hundreds of soldiers and gradually became convinced that Afghanistan could not be won militarily. Taliban’s fighting capability against the coalition forces was demonstrated by the bringing down of a US military helicopter in Wardak province, as also by suicide bomber who killed two Americans in Baghlan in Afghanistan on October 27, 2008. The first incident involving the helicopter by the militants was significant because helicopters are a crucial mode of transport for troops and supplies in Afghanistan. 

General David McKiernan, the commander of US troops in Afghanistan, and General David Petraeus, Chief of CENTCOM support peace talks with the moderate Taliban. The US has only two preconditions: renunciation of violence, and adherence to the Afghan Constitution. Several European countries have expressed their support for negotiations with the Taliban. Iran, however, has opposed these negotiations because of its stormy relations with the Taliban government. Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on October 19, 2008 “we advise them to think about the consequences of the talks with Taliban, which are taking place between the region and Europe and avoid being bitten in the same spot twice.” India, meanwhile, has a stake in Afghanistan since any development in the region would affect India’s interests and security. Stability in Afghanistan would certainly be in its interest. 

According to diplomatic sources, the Afghan government had long favoured talks with the Taliban, but increasing casualties among the coalition forces and the worsening violence inside Afghanistan forced the US to also involve Saudi Arabia in talks. Saudi Arabia has been entrusted by the US and Europe to play a positive role. In the past, Saudi Arabia generally dealt with Afghanistan through Pakistan. This marks a significant departure by the Saudi leadership to take on a direct role in Afghanistan.  

The talks between the Karzai government and Taliban took place on September 24 and 27, 2008 and involved 11 Taliban delegates, two Afghan government officials, a representative of former mujahideen commander and a US foe, Gulbudin Hekmatyar, with three others.  It was a 17 member Afghan delegation, though Mullah Omar was not present. Among those who attended the meeting in Riyadh in September 2008 were President Karzai’s brother, Qayum Karzai, and head of the Council of Clerics of Afghanistan, Maulvi Fazl Hadi Shiwari, two former Taliban officials who have remained under government protection in Kabul since their release from US custody, Mullah Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil, a former Taliban foreign minister, and Mullah Abdul Salaam Zaeef, who served as the Taliban’s ambassador to Pakistan. Some other representatives of the Taliban were also there. The Taliban has two major issues with the US – the presence of foreign forces, and the system of government in Afghanistan. 

That the US is actively considering talks with elements of the Taliban does indicate a major change in US policy. The focus of the US has been shifting from Iraq to Afghanistan. Moreover, the US is increasing the presence of troops in Afghanistan in order to bring peace and stability there. The new administration in the US under the leadership of Barack Obama will reassess the US policy towards Afghanistan and will possibly bring some changes.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views either of the Editorial Committee or the Centre for Land Warfare Studies)