After 17 Years of War, Trump Admin Calling for Afghan Peace Talks Amid Continuing Violence
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The story
After U.S. and Afghan special forces reportedly captured an ISIS stronghold Saturday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Sunday to press for peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
Pompeo offered U.S. support for peace talks, but emphasized they would be “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.”
Militants killed 15 people in Afghanistan in two separate attacks on Tuesday, with the Taliban and ISIS claiming responsibility for one each.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is working to make up a substantial shortfall in the number of nonmilitary personnel in Afghanistan, who it says are vital to any effort to secure the country.
Background
The U.S. originally sent troops to Afghanistan in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The aim was to capture Osama bin Laden and topple the Taliban government, which was harboring bin Laden.
Bin Laden is dead. While the Taliban was ousted from power in December 2001, it now controls more territory than ever since that time. Civilian casualties reached a record high in 2017, and signs of growing discord between factions persist.
While U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan has claimed more than 2,400 U.S. service members’ lives and costs American taxpayers some $45 billion per year, the U.S. Dept. of Defense's Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has documented very little benefit overall.
Next steps
Pompeo said the Trump administration’s South Asia strategy, which included sending more American forces and pressuring neighboring Pakistan to do more to stop militants coming over its border into Afghanistan, was “working.”
It’s not clear what might draw the Taliban to the negotiating table with the Afghan government. It has repeatedly rebuffed any such efforts, insisting on direct talks with the U.S.
What do you think?
Do you support the Trump administration’s efforts to broker a peace deal in Afghanistan? What elements do you think are necessary in order for it to succeed? Hit Take Action to tell your reps what you think, then share your thoughts below.
—Sara E. Murphy
(Photo Credit: iStock.com / KeithBinns)
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