Diplomatist Magazine Annual Edition 2018 | Page 19

Knowledge Partner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist Image 5: Former Taliban fighters line up to handover their rifles to Afghan government during a reintegraLon ceremony under the aegis of the Afghanistan Peace and ReintegraLon Program, in Ghor province, in 2012. US Involvement Taliban, the Afghan government lost all legitimacy in the eyes of the latter. The Taliban will hold talks with the Afghan government if Washington stops providing access to the Taliban to speak directly with the US. In 2001, there were signs that the Taliban wanted to reintegrate back into their communities. However, the US was not ready to reconcile with them since they were busy trying to locate al Qaeda Chief Osama bin Laden to calm domestic pressure and to apprehend the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks. Classified Society The Afghan government tried to reconcile with the Taliban in 2006 and 2009 but it was the US that made it difficult for the former. With support from across the border, the Taliban became strong again and eventually concluded that they did not need to reconcile with a government in Kabul controlled by the US when they could talk directly with the US. The Taliban views the Afghan government as a failed player not worthy of engaging with for peace talks. Due to several peace talks the US held with the With support from across the border, the Taliban became strong again and eventually concluded that they did not need to reconcile with a government in Kabul controlled by the US when they could talk directly with the US. Na*on-building in Afghanistan is an ongoing process that cons*tu*onally ensures every Afghan ci*zen's rights. Today, several hard-won achievements exist, like freedom of speech and media, women's rights, and access to fundamental rights. However, in the Taliban's perspec*ve, Afghanistan 8