In three tweets Donald Trump upended more than a year of painstaking negotiation
President Donald Trump upended more than a year of painstaking American negotiation with the insurgents of the Taliban, who have been fighting to overthrow the American-backed government in Afghanistan for 18 years. First Mr Trump revealed that Taliban leaders had been due to meet him at Camp David, the presidential country retreat. Then, he explained, he had learned about a Taliban suicide-bombing in Kabul on September 5th that had killed an American soldier along with 11 others.
Yet Mr Khalilzad was vague about what the Taliban would give in return. The details have not been published, but there seems to have been a pledge not to harbour foreign militants such as al-Qaeda. No ceasefire was promised. Instead, there was talk of reducing violence around American bases. Afghan forces, which already bear the brunt of the conflict, do not seem to have been offered any reprieve.
Was it cold feet about the deal that caused Mr Trump’s reversal? Or was it an attempt to wheedle more concessions out of the Taliban? If the latter, it may backfire. The Taliban have never trusted American promises. They say they remain committed to talks, but this volte-face will only deepen their mistrust. Meanwhile Mr Ghani, sidelined until now, is no doubt relieved. The Taliban had wanted him to call off presidential elections at the end of the month, which he is hoping to win.
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