US Taliban Peace Deal

[Black Orchid]

A week-long "reduction in violence" between the Taliban, the United States and Afghan security forces took effect on Friday, raising hopes of a resolution to the 18-year-long war.

The agreement struck during negotiations between US and Taliban representatives, if maintained, could secure a peace deal that would lead to a withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

In a televised address, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced the reduction in violence (RIV) would begin at midnight local time on Friday (19:30 GMT). The army will "remain on active defence status during the week", he said.

Earlier, Javid Faisal, spokesman for Afghan National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib, said Afghan forces will keep up normal military operations against other armed groups, such ISIL (ISIS) during the RIV period.

"Local government and security officials have been instructed by the president himself on how to follow the regulations agreed upon for the RIV period," he said, adding that Afghan forces will also retaliate to the violation of the understanding.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that upon successful implementation of this agreement, the US would move to sign a peace deal with the Taliban on February 29.

Soon after Pompeo's announcement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the development and said both sides will invite senior representatives to take part in the peace deal "signing ceremony".

The Taliban's statement also said the signing of the peace deal would be followed by intra-Afghan talks with various political parties in the country.

The Afghan armed group, which was removed from power in a US-led invasion in 2001, has previously refused to speak directly to the Kabul government, which it denounces as a "US puppet".

The two sides have been wrangling over the US demand for a ceasefire before the final peace agreement is signed. The deal is expected to outline the withdrawal of American troops and a guarantee that Afghan soil will not be used as a launchpad to conduct attacks on foreign countries.

The talks were launched in 2018 as part of a push by US President Donald Trump's administration to strike a deal with the Taliban, which has been fighting the US-led forces in Afghanistan since it was toppled from power.

Trump has long expressed eagerness to bring US soldiers home and to end the country's longest war as he seeks re-election in 2020. The two sides were on the verge of signing a peace agreement in September when Trump abruptly cancelled the talks after a Taliban attack killed an American soldier.

About 14,000 US troops and some 17,000 troops from 39 NATO allies and partner countries are stationed in Afghanistan in a non-combatant role.

More at ... https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/ ... 40829.html

U.S., Taliban Reach Agreement That Could Precede Peace Deal. The deal is a further milestone toward ending a war that has endured for more than 18 years.

The U.S. and the Afghan Taliban are preparing to sign a historic peace deal next week meant to end America’s longest war, if the two sides succeed in reducing violence in Afghanistan over the next seven days.

After months of on-again, off-again talks, the U.S. and Taliban agreed to curtail most attacks across Afghanistan in a deal that took effect after midnight on Saturday in the country, starting a weeklong clock that is supposed to end with a permanent peace deal.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-taliba ... 582285704

This has been a long and drawn out effort. Fingers crossed and well done Trump for even trying and keeping it going.

[sprintcyclist]

............ if the two sides succeed in reducing violence in Afghanistan over the next seven days.

After months of on-again, off-again talks, the U.S. and Taliban agreed to curtail most attacks across Afghanistan in a deal that took effect after midnight on Saturday in the country, ..............

That is a good starting point

[brian ross]

Amazing how people forget that it was Trump who stopped talks which were started under Obama because, well they were started under Obama. Tsk, tsk.

[The4thEstate]

Amazing how people forget that it was Trump who stopped talks which were started under Obama because, well they were started under Obama. Tsk, tsk.

When did Trump ever say he was stopping Taliban peace talks because they were started under Obama?

Then again, Trump simply lacks the negotiating expertise of Obama, who advanced the cause of world peace with shrewd deals like this one in 2014: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way ... soner-swap

"As part of a prisoner swap to free Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the United States agreed to transfer five Guantanamo detainees to Qatar. All five prisoners were high-ranking Taliban officials. Some were considered high-risk and 'likely to post a threat to the U.S., its interests and allies.'"

And the success of Obama's bold prisoner exchange were soon evident:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-major-a ... 1444903203

"President Barack Obama said Thursday he was dropping plans to withdraw nearly all American troops from Afghanistan, reversing his long-held intention to exit the conflict before the end of his administration."

Above all, it's impressive that Obama heroically made good on his pledge to close Gitmo!
https://www.npr.org/2017/01/19/51044898 ... -detainees

"Trump Inherits Guantanamo's Remaining Detainees"

[brian ross]

I expect you think Obama was a muslim born in Kenya, right? That he wanted to take all your guns and ammunition and turn America into a socialist state, right? Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Perhaps you hate him 'cause he was black?

[The Reboot]

I expect you think Obama was a muslim born in Kenya, right? That he wanted to take all your guns and ammunition and turn America into a socialist state, right? Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Perhaps you hate him 'cause he was black?

Brian, not EVERYTHING is about oppression olympics. I know you have an unhealthy obsession with identity politics, but it doesn't actually mirror reality in the slightest. Why not address the evidence that 4E has provided, rather than make up petty little fantasies, hmm?

Another tactic of yours, typical of you and your ilk and stale to boot. Nobody is falling for it. All you are doing is making a fool of yourself. Tsk tsk.

[Black Orchid]

I expect you think Obama was a muslim born in Kenya, right? That he wanted to take all your guns and ammunition and turn America into a socialist state, right? Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Perhaps you hate him 'cause he was black?

I strongly suspect he thinks neither of those things.