When the US and Taliban peace talks were on the brink of a deal in September, President Trump declared the process dead, angered by one of the recent Taliban attacks. No ceasefire was ever in place, but US officials said the attack suggested it proved the Taliban didn’t want peace.
Having just gotten back to the table for talks this month, the US delegation has once again declared the entire process paused, in this case because of a Taliban suicide attack against Bagram Air Base.
The Wednesday morning Bagram attack was not highly newsworthy. An explosive-packed vehicle hit the exterior gate outside the hospital, killing two civilians and wounding dozens of others.
US officials say this will be a “brief pause” meant to express “outrage” over the attack. Given it’s a relatively common level of attack, however, it may not be a good sign for this next round to peace talks.
President Trump has made clear he intends for this new round of talks to include a ceasefire, but until one has actually been agreed upon the US keeps attacking Taliban targets. It is unsurprising, then, that the Taliban should keep hitting US targets, barring a deal.
US officials firmly believe that peace talks are only possible by forcing the opponent to the table by continuing to attack them. Yet they also believe that the only way an opponent can show they’re serious about peace is if they suspend attacks on occupying US forces unilaterally, in exchange for nothing but perhaps the privilege of talking with us.
American exceptionalism is the reason we invaded Afghanistan, and the reason we still aren’t willing to leave. Thus more keep dying in the name of proving that those that have already died didn’t die in vain.
Psychopaths are enraged at the WaPo article on the deception dishonesty and thievery that have defined US’s invasion of Afghanistan . This is their revenge and same time a divine opportunity of serving the self interests.
Translation: Tough, tenacious Taliban continues kicking USAss.
Deja vu all over again.
The US should suspend all negotiations and
initiate an immediate staged withdrawal unilaterally,
to be completed over the next 6 months.
Nation building is a fool’s errand.