On Trump’s Team, Growing Resistance to Any Afghan Deal

Some 18 years into the US war in Afghanistan, the possibility of a peace deal with the Taliban has been reported as growing. Though some specifics have not been offered, several reports have suggested an announcement could be made any day now.

But if America’s longest war has one thing, it’s momentum, and that’s got members of Trump’s team, as well as Republican lawmakers, pushing back against the idea of any sort of deal with the Taliban.

It’s not clear how a deal is even possible given President Trump’s pledge to “always” have  a presence in Afghanistan, which is certainly a non-starter for the Taliban. Officials are emphasizing their mistrust in the Taliban, leaving open the question of how negotiator Zalmay Khalilizad is going to finalize this.

Not that it’s all bad news. President Trump has also been touting the “good negotiations” had with the Taliban, even while saying no deal is ready. Even if his position isn’t consistent with making a deal, Trump at the very least isn’t turning against the talks.

Moreover, reports are that one of the biggest opponents of ending any war, John Bolton, has been sidelined amid growing tensions between him and Trump. This should at least keep Bolton from directly sabotaging the process, something he’s been accused of in other big diplomatic efforts.