Afghan President Hamid Karzai announced on June 18th that the United States is currently discussing negotiations for a possible settlement to the war in Afghanistan (Graham-Harrison). U.S. officials refused to comment on the matter until Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates stepped forward to confirm the announcement (Thompson). .
The war between the United States and Afghanistan began nearly a decade ago when the Taliban was stripped of its power in 2001 during a U.S. invasion for hosting al Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden. After the Taliban regrouped from the initial attack just weeks after the September 11 tragedy, they fought back against the government, U.S. troops, and other Western allies in Afghanistan. After the recent capture of bin Laden, Karzai began pushing peace talks, although his efforts had not yet allowed the government and insurgents to meet, but representatives have been in touch (Graham-Harrison).
"Peace talks are going on with the Taliban. The foreign military and especially the United States itself is going ahead with these negotiations," Karzai said during a speech in Kabul. "The peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban movement are not yet based on a certain agenda or physical meetings, there are contacts established" (Graham-Harrison). .
At first, U.S. officials were hesitant to acknowledge the negotiations. Caitlin Hayden, the White House National Security Council spokeswoman would not confirm Karzai's announcement (Graham-Harrison).
"I can't confirm any specific interactions, but we continue to support an Afghan-led reconciliation and reintegration process that would bring insurgents in from the cold," Hayden said (Graham-Harrison).
Taliban reintegration was only possible "provided they meet the Afghan government's long-standing red lines: renounce violence, break with al Qaeda and live under the Afghan constitution, including respect for the rights of women," she said (Graham-Harrison).
