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.
This is of course true. His low position on the totem pole makes it easy to ditch him. But in my view, US made a bigger mistake. It proved Taliban contention, that including Kabul government is pointless, as US makes their decisions. Afghan government just sacrifices a pawn, to score major point — Viceroy has spoken and proven Taliban right. Kabul and Taliban (stupid name, as Taliban are long gone, and US is negotiating with representatives of Afghanistan, tribal leaders) both agree that occupation must end, that transition must start, and regional neighbours and Asian powers are ready and capable to play their role. Khalilizad should have ignored the swipe, depriving them all of the effect —the demonstration of US reflexive supremacy-driven behavior.
Being given the acronym ‘NSA’ probably went to Mohib’s head, though he surely represents some small indigenous faction.