Since the US and Taliban signed a peace deal, the biggest threat to the process of ending the Afghanistan War has been that the Ghani government failed to comply with a promised prisoner release. Ghani had since promised a smaller release, but is now putting that on hold as well.
The US had promised the Taliban 5,000 prisoners, and Ghani’s recent edict claimed 1,500 would be released at about 100 per day. Officials now want to further review the list, to decide which Taliban are most likely to return to fighting in the future.
Past delays had already threatened the peace process, and this new, open-ended postponement once again has Ghani giving the impression that he’s going to remain a thorn in the side of the peace process. He’s definitely making himself the enemy of post-war Taliban.
Ghani may have the same problem with the US, as his edict on prisoner releases came in return for the US committing to send attendees to his inauguration. He got what he wanted, and the US is probably going to resent this further obstacle.
Somehow its no surprise Kabul has no interest in helping the peace process along.
After all, its their phony-baloney jobs (and necks) on the line if the Taliban gain power, while the U.S. only needs assurances whomever is in charge of Afghanistan keeps the opium flowing.
The Taliban more than anything else will be pressed to not ban poppy production as they did upon assuming power in 2001. That event, more than any other, triggered the U.S. invasion of Iran.
Somehow its no surprise Kabul has no interest in helping the peace process along.
After all, its their phony-baloney jobs (and necks) on the line if the Taliban gain power, while the U.S. only needs assurances whomever is in charge of Afghanistan keeps the opium flowing.
The Taliban more than anything else will be pressed to not ban poppy production as they did upon assuming power in 2001. That event, more than any other, triggered the U.S. invasion of Iran.
To be fair they weren’t at the negotiations. I think they know how this ends for them as well so really what is their rush?
Just backup the moving van and load up.
The Afghanys will hash-out the details, or, …not.