Milestone: Making Contact with the Mullahs

It is now official: The United States is negotiating with the Taliban. The Secretary of Defense revealed this open secret on Sunday, confirming what the Afghan president said the day before. This must be viewed as a result of the bin Laden effect combined with the desire to end the Afghanistan endeavor. A rapid retreat, as hoped for by the American population, has become not only respectable, but strategically justifiable now that the war has lost its principle reason of existence with the death of al-Qaida’s leader.

It had been common knowledge for a long time that Washington was in “secret” discussions with certain Taliban representatives. However, the importance of openly admitting this is that since Sept. 2001, the Americans have always claimed that they were defeating these extremists whatever the cost. Today, they acknowledge at least the failure of their counter-insurrection, if not their defeat.

For several days now, the Taliban is no longer subjected to the same UN sanctions as suspected al-Qaida members, something that ought to favor a conclusive agreement. On the other hand, Washington no longer demands that they adhere to their country’s constitution in order to be admitted to the negotiating table. These are the changes that worry human rights supporters and advocates of women’s emancipation.

It is tempting to say we should go back to the starting point. But which one? That of 1989, 1996 or 2001? In 1989 Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan, opening the door for a fratricidal war between the factions that they had fought against. This scenario could reoccur, unless steps are taken to avoid it by preparing a new political arrangement before the definitive withdrawal, expected in 2014. This plan, therefore, understands the Taliban, that had taken over Kabul in 1996 with the West’s silent blessing before becoming sworn enemies. In December 2001, the major powers came to an agreement on a political arrangement for a post-Taliban Afghanistan in Bonn. 10 years later, the international community is meeting once again in the German town to discuss what will happen next.

Did Hamid Karzaï want to embarrass the Americans by giving the game away last Saturday? He had reasons to do so. His High Council for Peace has been trying for months to reconcile all sides, the Taliban included. The process seems to have been sidelined by Washington, which is not particularly fond of the Afghan president.

The war in Afghanistan has cost the Americans around $425 billion, according to the site Costofwar.com. It has already lasted longer than the Soviet occupation. Along with their allies, our southern neighbors have also invested considerable, although much smaller, amounts into the country’s reconstruction, with just as small results.

Many Afghans are looking forward to seeing the withdrawal of soldiers who, in their eyes, are invaders. Several among them even believe that the occupation is the source of the insecurity, rather than a means to ending it. They are hoping not only for the departure of foreign soldiers, but equally for the end of all types of intervention in their affairs. This is understandable, but it is improbable that their hopes will be realized. Afghanistan does not just hold a strategic position in the heart of the Middle East. It has recently come to light that it is rich in minerals necessary for the production of so-called green smart products.