The US has reportedly cut all ties with Afghanistan’s National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib.
Those familiar with the situation say US diplomats are refusing to deal
with him in Kabul, and he is no longer welcome in the US.
This is a backlash from Mohib criticizing US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad
earlier this week, claiming that Khalilzad was trying to delegitimize
the Afghan government and set himself up as “viceroy” of Afghanistan.
The US and Afghan government have been at odds over the Khalilzad-led negotiations
with the Taliban, with Mohib and others complaining the US has cut them
out of the talks. The Taliban in general has opposed talking with the
Afghan government, believing they aren’t legitimate and can’t offer
anything until the US is withdrawing.
Mohib has been the most vocal critic of the talks, and is also in a
position where he’s low enough down the totem pole that the US doesn’t
really need to directly deal with him. This likely will prove a mistake
on his part to be so opposed to the talks, as the US doesn’t intend to
stop, and his value as a cabinet official is questionable so long as he
is on the outs with the US.
US Cuts Ties With Afghan NSA Over Criticism of Negotiator
Mohib accused Khalilzad of wanting to be 'Viceroy'
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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